FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Fireworks sales were brisk yesterday at Daiei on Kaheka Street. Annie Ontai, left, Kenny Lima and Kristen Lima were excited and happy to find their favorite giant fountain fireworks.

Sales of fireworks start strong

Permit purchases resume today only slightly behind the record set last year

Demand on the first day of legal fireworks sales in Hawaii appeared strong and could pick up today when firecracker permits become available again.

Grocery Outlet in Kalihi was expecting lines this morning for firecrackers at its store and for permits next door at the satellite city hall on Dillingham Boulevard.

People were lined up yesterday when the store opened, and fireworks sales seem to be doing better than last year, said Albert Respicio, the Grocery Outlet co-owner. Since the satellite city hall next door was closed yesterday, only those who bought permits in advance could buy firecrackers.

Since 2000, $25 permits have been required to buy traditional firecrackers, but novelty fireworks can be purchased without permits. The permits are available at satellite city halls on Oahu.

Respicio said about 200 to 300 permits were turned in to his store by yesterday afternoon.

One customer brought in 120 permits, at a cost of $3,000, and spent about $3,000 on fireworks, he said. But most spent under $50.

Prices are a little higher than last year, and Respicio said he is also bringing in about 30 percent more fireworks and firecrackers to last, he hopes, through the last day of sales on Saturday.

Firecrackers in Hawaii are a little like Christmas trees, as different retailers and distributors try to guess what demand will be like and how much merchandise to bring in.

As of last week, sales of the permits that allow the purchase of up to 5,000 individual units of firecrackers were slightly slower than last year, when a record 12,000 firecracker permits were sold.

For the last two years, major retailers have run out of firecrackers before New Year's Eve, and some people who purchased permits were left with just a piece of paper.

It is hard to gauge whether this will be a surplus or shortage year, Respicio said.

"It seems like economy is doing well, they (customers) have more money to spend," he said.

At Daiei in Kaheka, sales also appeared to be brisk yesterday. The aisles around the fireworks were crowded, and clerks struggled to keep shelves stocked.

"This is only the first trip," said shopper Carla Au Young, who bought about $100 worth of fireworks. Husband Joel Au Young said he purchased the paperless crackling string firecrackers, which do not require a permit.

"It's about the same (pop) and less messy," he said.

Rae Maae said he spent about $100 on sparklers, fountains and paperless firecrackers, much less than the "thousands of dollars" he has spent in the past. Maae said he bought the fireworks mostly for his 4-year-old son.

For Wendy Yamamoto Pang, who is home for the holidays from California with her husband, the $86 she spent is well worth it.

"We don't do it (pop fireworks) up there. It's kind of like a treat," she said.

The smoke from all the fireworks on New Year's Eve could linger through the next morning, according to the current forecast from the National Weather Service.

Meteorologist Bob Burke said the weather is likely to remain dry with little wind as a high-pressure system settles over the islands.

There is an outside chance of 10 to 15 mph winds Saturday night, he said, which could blow away some of the smoke.

Meanwhile the Honolulu Fire Department is urging people to make sure their celebrations are safe.

"Every year, we have fire, we have injuries," said spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada.

"Take the time this year to plan for the safety of your loved ones," he urged.