A state Senate committee boosted a bill yesterday to ban fireworks statewide, prompted by a New Year's celebration described as a “;war zone”; of deafening homemade bombs and illegal aerials.

But it added a dampener, too. The Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee sent Senate Bill 2365 to the Judiciary Committee with a provision to exempt counties that decide to opt out of the ban. The bill also excepts religious or cultural events.

Many residents submitted testimony in support of a statewide ban following the last New Year's celebration on Oahu. The large number of complaints—including fireworks being ignited in the early morning hours—and the serious effects for those with respiratory problems spurred lawmakers to introduce several bills.

The Public Safety Committee recently passed SB 2053, which calls for an increase in fees and fines for illegal fireworks activity. Committee members also voted to pass SB 2052, which calls for an increase in fees for fireworks permits. Both bills were sent to the Ways and Means Committee.

House Bill 2068, which would allow counties to adopt more restrictive fireworks ordinances, advanced to the House Judiciary Committee.

Public Safety Committee member state Sen. J. Kalani English (D, East Maui-Lanai-Molokai) requested the provision allowing counties to opt out of the ban.

The severity of the fireworks problem and the level of opposition on Oahu is not nearly the same as it is in Maui County, said English after the hearing. The provision, he added, allows counties to make a choice on the ban rather than taking on another “;Oahu-centric point of view.”;

Two children on Maui suffered serious burns from fireworks just after midnight on New Year's Day. A 7-year-old girl underwent surgery after she suffered third-degree burns to her lower extremities. She was flown to Shriners Hospital in Sacramento, Calif., for further treatment. Her 11-year-old brother, who suffered second-degree burns, was transported to the same hospital.

Dr. Randy Wong, director of the Hawaii Burn Care Team and Burn Unit at Straub Clinic & Hospital, supports a statewide ban.

He said the fireworks problem will only intensify if something is not done.

“;It'll just get worse and worse until somebody dies,”; he said. “;The injuries are bad enough.”;