MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii Fire Department announces fireworks permits will be available for purchase beginning Thursday, Dec. 26, at the following locations for the upcoming New Year’s celebration.

These sites are:

* Fire Administration Office located at the Hilo County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2501, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Dec. 26, 27, 30, and 31.

* Kona Fire Prevention Office, located at the West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Bldg E, second floor, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Dec. 26, 27, 30, and 31.

* Parker Ranch Shopping Center Food Court, Kamuela, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Dec. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31.

Fireworks permits also will be sold at the following Firecracker vending outlets:

* TNT Tent, Prince Kuhio Plaza Ohuohu St. Parking area, Hilo Pinky’s (Pinky’s 5 Eight), 27-289 Mill Road, Papaikou.

* Pacific Fireworks, 1177 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo

* Pacific Fireworks Kona, 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona

* Thunder Fireworks Kona, 75-1022 Henry Street, Kailua-Kona

* Long’s Drug Prince Kuhio Plaza, 111 E. Puainako Street, Hilo

Each permit costs $25 and entitles the holder to purchase 5,000 individual firecrackers. Multiple permit purchases are authorized. Permits shall only be issued to persons 18 years of age or older and are non-transferable, and non-refundable.

Fireworks sales will begin Dec. 26 and will end at midnight New Year’s Eve.

Permits are not required for the purchasing of novelties and paperless firecrackers. Setting off of Fireworks for the New Year celebrations are allowed between the hours of: 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

Permits shall be visibly displayed at the site of use, during the time of the firing.

Fire Chief Darren Rosario would like to remind the public that it is illegal for anyone to:

1. Remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework;

2. Throw fireworks from, at, or into any vehicle;

3. Set off any fireworks:
At any time not within the specified time periods;
Within 1,000 feet of any Hospital, Convalescent home, Care home for the elderly, Zoo, Animal Hospital or Shelter, or Church when services are held. On any school property without authorization from the said school official; On any Public way such as a highway, alley, street, sidewalk, or park.

4. Offer for sale, sell, or give any fireworks to minors; or for any minor to possess, purchase, sell, or set off, ignite, or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except under the immediate supervision of an adult;

5. Set off any aerial luminary devices, commonly called Sky Lanterns or Hawaii Lanterns; or any other aerial devices, such as bottle rockets, sky rockets, roman candles, cakes, mortars, or shells.

The Hawaii Fire Department humbly asks everyone to please Kokua in helping us to prevent fires, and also to avoid the unnecessary injuries caused by fireworks each year.

You can help by:

* Using extreme care when setting off fireworks. Children playing with fireworks should be under an adult’s close supervision at all times. Even the smallest of fireworks can cause severe injuries that will quickly ruin the Holidays. Please help us, to help you, start the New Year off safely. Fireworks should be set off in an area well away from dry grass or flammable materials.

* Be sure Fireworks are completely extinguished before being disposed of. And most importantly, have a fire extinguisher and/ or a water hose ready to use in the event of an unplanned or unexpected fire. Be sure the water hose(s) can reach all areas of where fireworks activities are being conducted, especially around the entire house. It’s also a great idea to wet down any dry, grassy area before and after setting off Fireworks. Doing it before will also let you know the capability of your water source.

For more information on the purchasing of Fireworks permits, or the use of Fireworks, please call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 932-2912 (Hilo) or 323-4760 (Kona).

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Fireworks Prohibited in National Parks

Fireworks are always prohibited in national parks, including New Year’s Eve, according to federal law.

Visitors will notice ‘Fireworks Prohibited’ signs posted near the entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and are reminded that fireworks are not permitted in any national park.

“Our priorities as caretakers for these public lands are to keep the public and our natural, cultural, and historical resources safe,” said James Courtright, Fire Management Officer for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Pacific Island Park Network. “We wish everyone a safe and healthy 2014.”

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HELCO Fireworks Safety Advice

Hawaii Electric Light Company urges the community to use caution if celebrating New Year’s Eve with fireworks.

Carefully set up and use fireworks in an area clear of overhead power lines. Do not string fireworks on utility poles.

If using a ladder, pole, or tie lines to set up fireworks, keep a 10-foot clearance from power lines. Power lines are energized and not insulated and could cause a serious electrical shock, burn or electrocution.

If an object should become entangled in an overhead power line, don’t try to free it. Call Hawaii Electric Light’s trouble line at 969-6666.