HONOLULU, Hawaii –

A New Year’s Eve fireworks explosion in a Honolulu-area neighbourhood killed at least three people and critically injured 20 others , authorities said.

The accident occurred just before midnight outside a home, the Honolulu Fire Department said in a statement. The neighborhood is near Honolulu’s international airport and a joint U.S. Air Force and Navy base and a little more than two miles (3.22 kilometres) east of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, which honors sailors who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor that drew the U.S. into World War II.

Two people were declared dead at the scene, and the other 20 victims were transported to hospitals, according to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.

“I’ve been in EMS over 30 years and this is probably one of the worst calls I’ve ever been on as far as the immense tragedy and amount of patients and severity of the injuries,” Honolulu Emergency Services Department Director Dr. Jim Ireland said in a news conference early Wednesday.

A statement from Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi put the death toll at three and said more than 20 people were injured critically.

“This incident is a painful reminder of the danger of illegal fireworks, which put lives at risk, drain our first responder resources, and disrupt our communities,” Blangiardi said.

Several social media posts overnight showed video of home fireworks being set off over a wide swath of the city. Officials reported four other serious fireworks injuries unrelated to the blast.

The fire department said it was investigating the cause of the blast and had no details about how the accident occurred. It said there was no fire at the home. The victims were not immediately identified.

Two people are dead and 22 more injured in a fireworks-related incident in Hawaii on New Year’s Day.

Honolulu Emergency Medical Services, police and the fire department were all called to the scene in the Salt Lake-Aliamanu area in the early hours of January 1.

Footage from the scene showed multiple emergency vehicles on Keaka Drive.

The Honolulu Police Department wrote in a post on X: “Major Incident in the Salt Lake area HPD, HFD, and EMS are responding to a major incident in the area of Keaka Drive. Please avoid the area as first responders provide medical and other assistance.”

The department added posted an update at 1:45 a.m.: “This is a fireworks-related incident with multiple casualties. HPD, HFD, and EMS are on the scene providing care and security. Please avoid the area.”

Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident, which took place as people across the islands were celebrating the arrival of 2025.

It comes after Honolulu Emergency Medical Services responded to another call in the Kalihi area on New Year’s Eve, according to Newsweek.

A 14-year-old boy was injured after a firework exploded in his hand, according to paramedics at the scene who transported him to the hospital for treatment.

More follows on this breaking news story….

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Hawaii Island man accused of abducting a 15-year-old girl and holding her captive in a bus on his Hilo property two years ago pleaded no contest to multiple charges in a Kona courtroom Tuesday morning.

Cher Angelel spoke on behalf of her daughter, Mikella, after the hearing.

The family expressed deep gratitude, thanking everyone who had a part in not only bringing the teen home, but also those who have helped to deliver justice in this years-long case.

“Today is the beginning of the end,” Angelel said. “There aren’t enough thanks for people that really stepped up. Way too many people to name. But you know who you are and we are so endlessly grateful for your support and help.”

Duncan Mahi pleaded no contest to two counts of kidnapping and one count of sexual assault in connection with the two-day crime spree that spanned Hawaii Island before the teen managed to escape in Hilo with the help of two good Samaritans who recognized her at a restaurant.

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Attorney Jeffrey Foster said, “A plea of no contest basically means that the defendant does not plead guilty, but he also agrees not to contest the charges against him.”

According to the plea agreement, Mahi will spend no less than 20 years behind bars.

It also means Mikella and the boy who was with her at the time of the abduction won’t have to testify at a trial.

“They are seniors in high school and ready to get on with their lives and not having a trial will definitely be a good thing for all of us,” said Angelel.

Today, Mikella is about to turn 18. Angelel said she is doing phenomenal.

“She has risen above it,” Angelel said. “She’s gotten on with her life. She’s a straight-A student. She’s applying for colleges, applying for scholarships. She’s going places in life.”

Angelel credits her daughter’s intelligence for helping bring her captor to justice.

“And I really want young women to really know what my daughter did to save herself and learn from her,” she said. “Memorizing his license plate from the very get-go. She left hair in the school bus he was keeping her in for DNA. She really did things that helped out the police.”

Mahi’s sentencing is scheduled for March 14 at 8:30 a.m. in Kona.

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