HONOLULU — In the past few years, residents across Hawaii have celebrated numerous events—ranging from parties and Super Bowl gatherings to Thanksgiving—with illegal fireworks. These extravagant displays have gained popularity, often viewed as a cultural tradition by some, yet they are deeply despised by others. The intensity of these shows has caused disturbances in neighborhoods filled with closely situated homes, triggered fires, endangered pets, and even caused significant property damage—such as a lighting fixture dislodged from the ceiling of a reporter’s residence, narrowly missing a child before bursting on the floor.
Each New Year’s Day, officials in Honolulu release a report listing fireworks-related incidents from the previous night, which frequently includes a series of injuries ranging from burns to serious trauma, with occasional fatalities. However, the damage inflicted during a recent incident on a Tuesday night far surpasses these occurrences. An ignited bundle of aerial mortars fell over, igniting a stock of untouched fireworks and leading to a rapid succession of explosions that resulted in the tragic deaths of three women and injuries to over 20 individuals, including young children. An additional fatality was reported due to another unrelated fireworks explosion on Oahu.
In light of this catastrophe, both residents and officials are questioning whether such tragedies will deter future firework displays or incentivize law enforcement to intensify their crackdown on illegal fireworks usage. “This tragic event highlights the dangers associated with illegal fireworks,” remarked Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi during a press conference. “They jeopardize lives, exhaust our first responders, and disrupt community peace.”
The Honolulu medical examiner’s department officially recognized two of the deceased women as Nelie Ibarra, 58, and 23-year-old Jennifer Van, with the precise cause and manner of their deaths still under investigation. The third victim’s identity has not yet been publicized. In response to the medical needs of burn victims, the military has pledged to transport six patients to a burn unit in Arizona, with transportation starting as soon as Saturday, following a request from Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green. Given that the state has only one specialized burn facility, online fundraising initiatives for some victims reveal a need to seek treatment in Arizona as local hospitals lack sufficient capacity.
Efforts to mitigate the scourge of illegal fireworks have seen limited success. This year, lawmakers established an illegal fireworks task force. Initial operations led this unit to seize a notable amount of contraband, including three shipping containers within its first months. Based on these findings, authorities suspect that illegal fireworks are smuggled into Hawaii on a daily basis, with the task force ultimately recovering 227,000 pounds (approximately 103,000 kilograms) of fireworks thus far, according to Governor Green.
Despite these efforts, data from the Honolulu Fire Department suggests the challenges continue, as they reported a 30% increase in firework-related fires between New Year’s celebrations this year compared to last. Representative Gregg Takayama, who championed legislation aimed at tightening fireworks regulations, reflected on his youthful experiences with small fireworks, emphasizing that today’s illegal offerings far exceed the scope of those used in the past. “The aerial fireworks being utilized today are essentially explosive devices,” he noted, emphasizing the enhanced risks involved.
Charmaine Doran, vice-chair of the Pearl City neighborhood board, refuted the notion that fireworks are an inherent part of Hawaiian culture. “They have been banned throughout my lifetime… and I’m quite seasoned,” she stated. In her area, fireworks activity escalates significantly after Halloween, continuing into the New Year. Doran remarked that she can often gauge the excitement surrounding major sports events by the frequency of booms throughout the day.
However, enforcement poses challenges as residents are often hesitant to report neighbors in a tight-knit community where everyone is interconnected. Doran expressed concerns about potential backlash, stating, “If I call 911, they might retaliate.” This reluctance was echoed in testimonies presented to the Legislature. Pearl City resident Beverly Takushi shared a harrowing experience of being threatened by a neighbor following her request to stop illegal fireworks usage that persisted from New Year’s Eve until the early hours of New Year’s Day. “For the first time, I was not only concerned about the hazards of aerial fireworks but also my safety from this neighbor who accused me of disrespecting his culture,” Takushi recounted, although she mentioned the neighbor later extended an apology.
Fireworks have roots tracing back over two millennia to their inception in China, symbolizing joy and prosperity while also serving to ward off evil. In Hawaii, these celebrations encompass various communities, not limited to those of Chinese descent. Takushi reinforced Takayama’s observations regarding the stark contrast between modern, professional-grade fireworks and the modest fireworks of the past. “A few firecrackers at midnight to chase away bad spirits is a cultural practice, unlike the deafening explosions that create an atmosphere akin to being in a war zone,” she stated.
Richard Oshiro, secretary of the Waipahu neighborhood board, emphasized the need for a change in mindset regarding the use of fireworks, especially in light of the recent fatalities. He expressed his willingness to report illegal fireworks whenever he could, acknowledging the limitations faced by law enforcement in effectively responding if they fail to witness the illegal activity directly.
In Hawaii, possessing more than 50 pounds (about 23 kilograms) of aerial or illegal fireworks constitutes a felony, carrying potential penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of $10,000. Takayama has highlighted that while the law permits the submission of photographic and video evidence regarding fireworks usage for prosecution, actual court actions remain challenging. “We have existing laws, but we need more effective means of enforcing them,” he insisted, noting the ongoing frustrations of community members reporting illegal fireworks to no avail.
Addressing the ongoing fireworks issue, Takayama suggested the most effective approach lies in restricting their entry at Hawaii’s ports. There are established insights determining which shipments may contain illegal fireworks, and U.S. authorities hold the capability to inspect suspicious cargo. Though the task force has made strides in confiscations, Takayama believes more decisive action is crucial. “We must implement strategies to diminish the volume of fireworks entering our state, as tracking them post-arrival presents significant difficulties,” he explained.
Authorities are hopeful that some residents will voluntarily surrender illegal fireworks through an upcoming amnesty program. Governor Green recently shared a message via social media, announcing that law enforcement will be available at Aloha Stadium near Honolulu on January 11 to accept illegal fireworks, assuring that individuals who drop off fireworks will not face prosecution.
