By Staff Reports
(LĪHU‘E) – Kaua‘i Fire officials are reminding the public that a permit must be obtained from the fire department by Tuesday, Dec. 31, to purchase and ignite firecrackers on New Year’s Eve.
Officials are advising the public to purchase their permits now, to ensure that a permit can be issued in time for their New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Fireworks and firecrackers may only be ignited on private property between 9 p.m. on Dec. 31, and 1 a.m. on Jan. 1.
Applications are available at KFD headquarters located at the Līhu‘e Civic Center Pi‘ikoi Building, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 315, on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The cost of a fireworks permit is $25. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Only licensed pyro-technicians with proper permits are authorized to ignite aerial fireworks.
Although the following items are classified as fireworks, no permit is required to purchase them: snakes, sparklers, fountains, cylindrical or cone fountains, whistles, toy smoke devices, wheels and ground spinners, and other similar products.
The Kaua‘i Fire Department reminds the public that it is illegal to set off fireworks on public property, including streets, sidewalks or parks. Removing the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework is prohibited.
The public is also advised that all aerial luminaries, also known as flying lanterns or flying luminaries, are prohibited in the State of Hawai‘i, per HRS 132-19.
Captain Daryl Date with the Fire Prevention Bureau advises everyone to exercise caution when igniting fireworks, follow listed instructions and be sure that children are under adult supervision at all times.
For more information about fire safety, please contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at 241-4985.
