About Town

Farm fair to honor vets, military

The Kona Farm Fair has designated Sept. 15 as Veteran and Military Appreciation Day. The West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Development and Expansion Association, Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Services and the state Office of Veterans Services are hosting a Veteran and Military Appreciation Day and Job Fair from noon to 4 p.m. at the Old Kona Airport Park pavilion. All veterans and military personnel from across the island is invited with their families to this free event.

The opening ceremonies to the day’s activities will start at noon with the American Legion Riders roaring in, presentation of colors, music by the Honokaa High School Jazz band, a drill team demonstration and a guest speaker. Booths hosted by military-related support and charitable organizations will be on hand to provide information for veterans, active duty military, Hawaii National Guard and Hawaii Reserves and families. The event will also host a job fair for veterans and military with island employers, as well as professionals to assist in resume writing and job interview tips.

Donations are welcome.

For more information, contact John Grogan at 326-2309.

Fireworks permits available in W. Hawaii

Fire Chief Darren Rosario has announced that fireworks permits will be issued from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Tuesday at the Fire Prevention Kona Office, located at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Building E, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona; and at Thunder Fireworks, 75-1022 Henry St., Kailua-Kona.

Each permit costs $25 and will entitle the holder to purchase up to 5,000 individual firecrackers. Permits will be issued to individuals 18 years of age or older and are nontransferable and nonrefundable, as such, Rosario recommends individuals ask vendors if they have firecrackers in stock prior to the purchase of a permit.

Setting off fireworks is allowed only between the hours of 1 and 9 p.m. Wednesday. Permits should be visibly displayed at the site of use. Permits are not required for novelties and paperless firecrackers. Fireworks sales will end at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Rosario reminds the public that it is illegal for anyone to:

c remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks;

c throw fireworks from a vehicle;

c set off any fireworks at any time not within the time period allowed; within 1,000 feet of any operating hospital, nursing home, home for the elderly or animal hospital; in or on any school building or property; on any highway, alley, street, sidewalk or other public way; in any park, or within 1,000 feet of a church during the periods when services are held.

c it is illegal for any person to offer for sale, sell or give any fireworks to minors, and for any minor to possess, sell, set off, ignite or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except under the immediate supervision of an adult.

The Hawaii Fire Department also asks everyone to do their part to prevent fires

and injuries caused by fireworks:

c Have a water hose connected to a water source or a fire extinguisher readily available. Wet down surrounding brush if need be.

c Children playing with fireworks shall be under adult supervision at all times. Even the smallest of fireworks can cause serious injuries.

c Fireworks should be set off in a safe area away from dry grass, buildings, vehicles and flammable materials.

c Dispose of used fireworks properly by soaking in water prior to disposal.

There will be public fireworks displays at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Coconut Island in Hilo, a barge offshore of Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona and at Queens’ MarketPlace in Waikoloa.

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