HILO, Hawaii — To prepare for the upcoming Fourth of July festivities, Hawaii Fire Department Fire Chief Kazuo Todd announced fireworks permits would be available for public purchase starting June 29 through 8 p.m. on July 4, according to a news release.

Fireworks permits and firecrackers will be available only at two TNT Tent locations — Safeway parking lot, 381 E. Makaala St. in Hilo, and the Walmart parking lot, 75-1015 Henry St. in Kona.

Permits are $25 each, with each one allowing the holder to purchase up to 5,000 individual firecrackers. Permits are available for those 18 years and older and are non-transferable and non-refundable. Novelties and paperless firecrackers do not require permits.

Individuals with permits may only set off firecrackers and consumer fireworks during the approved hours of 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4.

Chief Todd notifies the public that buying, selling, possessing or setting off any aerial luminary device such as sky lanterns and Hawaii lanterns is illegal. He encourages anyone in possession of these devices to contact Fireworks Auditor Shonne Sasaki at 808-323-4760 for proper disposal with amnesty.

The Hawaii Fire Department reminds the public of these illegal activities:

• Removing the contents from any fireworks.
• Throwing fireworks from a vehicle.
• Setting off fireworks outside the approved time period (1-9 p.m.) or within 1,000 feet of hospitals, nursing homes, homes for the elderly, animal hospitals, schools, highways, parks, or churches during service times.
• Selling or giving fireworks to minors, minors in possession of fireworks, and minors setting off or igniting fireworks without adult supervision.

In addition, the fire department urges the public to take precautions to prevent fires and injuries:

• Have a water hose or fire extinguisher readily available and wet down surrounding brush before setting off any fireworks.
• Ensure adult supervision of children playing with fireworks.
• Set off fireworks in a safe area away from dry grass, buildings, vehicles and flammable materials.
• Soak used fireworks in water before properly disposing of them.

The Hawaii Fire Department will also collect unused and unwanted fireworks after the Fourth of July holiday. Fire stations are not designated drop-off points for fireworks. Contact Sasaki at 808-323-4760 for pick-up and drop-off locations, as well as information on purchasing permits and the safe use of fireworks.

The Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation will also be sponsoring two Fourth of July events:

In Hilo, Fourth of July kicks off with “A Salute to Our Veterans” Hilo Bay 5K Run/Walk starting at 7 a.m. at Liliuokalani Gardens. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the public can enjoy the “Hot Rides Expo” at the Hilo soccer fields. There will also be live music from various bands, food trucks and keiki activities, including bounce houses and water slides. At 8 p.m., the “Hilo Bay Blast” fireworks exhibition will take to the skies from Hilo Bay with the Hawaii County Band performing a live accompaniment.

In Kailua-Kona, the public is invited to a Fourth of July parade along Kuakini Hwy. and Alii Dr. that starts at 6 p.m. At 8 p.m., the “Peace, Love and 4th of July” fireworks exhibition will take off from Kailua Bay.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.