Police officers issued 93 citations for the illegal use of fireworks this New Year's, an increase from 14 handed out over the same period in 2008.

Maj. Clayton Kau, Honolulu Police Department spokesman, said yesterday that officers responded to 1,860 complaints from Dec. 26 through Saturday, compared with 1,361 complaints in 2008.

Only two persons were arrested for illegally setting off fireworks. A 43-year-old Waipahu man was arrested for possessing fireworks without a permit—a Class C felony offense—at about 2:40 p.m. New Year's Eve.

The citations went to 78 adults and 15 juveniles from Wednesday through Friday. The violations included burning fireworks in prohibited areas or outside the prescribed times or possessing fireworks without a permit.

Kau attributed the increase in the number of citations to “;greater increase in public involvement and stepped-up enforcement,”; noting patrols were set up throughout the island specifically to catch people using illegal fireworks, such as aerials.

Kau renewed the Police Department's call for a total ban on consumer fireworks because responding to these calls “;takes away from other emergencies and the damage to property they cause.”;

  HPD Urges Firework Ban

 

The Honolulu Police Department complaints about illegal fireworks urges lawmakers to ban fireworks.

[ Watch ]

 

Kau said a total ban would mean that illegal aerial and other fireworks could not be concealed in shipping containers that are used to import legal fireworks.

State Rep. K. Mark Takai, who has introduced six bills to ban fireworks because he feels they are a serious health and safety hazard, said he will renew his efforts this legislative session for a statewide ban of all fireworks except for public displays or for religious or ceremonial occasions.

“;I continue to believe that all common fireworks and all aerial fireworks should be illegal in Hawaii,”; said Takai (D, Newtown-Pearl City). “;It is unfortunate that those who abuse the privilege of fireworks have forced legislation that will ban all forms of fireworks.”;

The bill would also impose stricter penalties for the unauthorized use of aerial fireworks.

Kau said police officers are sent to investigate, but suspects are frequently gone by the time officers arrive.

Under the current laws, Kau said, when officers do not personally witness violations, they must rely on witness statements. Unfortunately, the witnesses, usually neighbors, are extremely reluctant to identify the perpetrators and provide a statement.

In November, police, working with the Honolulu Fire Department, U.S. Customs, Coast Guard, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, arrested two individuals and issued four citations for fireworks violations. The Sand Island bust netted 589 cases of illegal fireworks weighing 13,400 pounds and having an estimated street value of $150,000 to $200,000.

Honolulu fire officials said they responded to 37 fires apparently caused by fireworks between midnight Thursday and 8:45 p.m. Friday. The legal time period for setting off fireworks was from 9 p.m. Thursday to 1 a.m. Friday.

There was no serious property damage reported.

Some 8,055 fireworks permits were sold at satellite city halls, compared with 6,924 permits issued in 2008.

Rainfall aided fire crews on New Year's Eve.

“;Because of rain in the late evening, we were able to get a handle on a fire in a large open area in Waialua”; and also one on Geiger Road in Ewa, said Capt. Terry Seelig, Fire Department spokesman.

Fire companies also responded to one vehicle fire, 16 rubbish fires and eight trash-bin fires apparently started by fireworks.