Fireworks regulations
The Hawaii Fire Department announces that Fireworks permits will be available for purchase beginning Dec. 26 at the following locations for the upcoming New Year’s celebration. These sites are:
• Parker Ranch Shopping Center Food Court, Kamuela, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 26-31.
Fireworks permits will also be sold at the following Firecracker vending outlets:
• KTA locations — 50 E. Puainako Street, Hilo; 74-5594 Palani Road. Kailua-Kona; 78-6831 Alii Drive, Keauhou Kona.
• Pacific Fireworks Kona, 74-5629 Kuakini Hwy, Suite 155, Kailua-Kona
• J. Hara Store, 17-343 Volcano Hwy Kurtistown, HI
• BJ Alan Tents — 74-5586 Palani Road Kailua-Kona; 74-5454 Makala Blvd. Kailua-Kona; 75-1000 Henry St. Kailua-Kona; 325 Maka’ala St., Hilo; 111 E. Puainako St., Hilo.
• Long’s Puainako 111 E. Puainako St. Hilo
• TNT Tent Hilo 381 E. Maka’ala St. Hilo
Fireworks permits will also be available for purchase beginning Dec. 26 at:
• Fire Administration Office located at the Hilo County Building, 25 Aupuni St., Suite 2501, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 26-29.
• Kona Fire Prevention Office, located at the West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building E, second floor from, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 26-29.
Each permit costs $25 and will entitle 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 on Dec. 26 and will end at midnight on 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 us 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 932-2911 (Hilo) or 323-4760 (Kona).
Martin Luther King Jr. 37th Community Celebration
The Kailua-Kona committee of the Martin Luther King Jr. community celebration is planning its 37th anniversary, with a program &potluck. Please bring your favorite dish to share.
This event is free and open to the public. The celebration will take place at the Old Kona Airport Beach Park Maka’eo pavilion, AKA the big pavilion, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, at 11:30 a.m.
There will be displays of art, hula, poems, songs, music, and more by our local schools and the community.
The late Frank Bramlett paved the way for this celebration, along with Mamie Bramlett and Virginia Halliday. The program started in 1980 and has been observed ever since. It is now in its 37th year.
If you are interested in more information on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the great civil rights leader, please contact Virginia Halliday at 325-1112 or Mamie Bramlett at 331-1448.
Guitarist visits Kailua-Kona Public Library
On Dec. 26, 5:30-6:30 p.m., the Kailua-Kona Public Library will host Ian O’Sullivan, a classically trained guitarist who will perform his instrumental tunes and discuss his music style. O’Sullivan is well-versed in Hawaiian slack-key guitar and ukulele as well as the Western classical repertoire. This one-hour program is suitable for all ages and is free to the public. Children must be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver.