Hawaii State fireworks laws misaligned with Honolulu City ordinances

HONOLULU (KHON2) — A Honolulu City councilmember said weak city fireworks laws do not align with state regulations, so there is now a push to increase penalties for people who use, possess or sell illegal fireworks.

The incentive comes after the deadly explosion on New Year’s Day.

City Council Vice Chair Esther Kiaaina said Honolulu’s current ordinances are not up to snuff when it comes to illegal fireworks.

Using, possessing or selling over 25 pounds of aerials is currently a misdemeanor in Honolulu, though State law says it is a felony.

“How can it be a misdemeanor under city law and then a Class C felony under state law? It doesn’t make any sense,” Kiaaina said. “The current bill increases the penalty from one year to five years and labels it a Class C felony akin with State law.”

Current city law also calls for a $250 to $1,000 fine for the same charge. Kiaaina and her co-sponsor would like to increase it to between $1,000 and $10,000.

“The law is already there. You know, whether it’s $250 or $10,000 people might still do it. But we have to figure out a way to enforce this so that it doesn’t happen again, and we know that we can’t resolve this overnight,” said District VIII Councilmember Val Okimoto.

KHON2 asked Okimoto if she has any words of encouragement for the community to come out to the amnesty event on Saturday, Jan. 11.

“I think that it’s a choice for everybody be able to make. But if you have been, you know, affected by the incident that happened on New Year’s Day in the early morning, then I would encourage you to to participate in it,” Okimoto said.

“I’m still supportive of our cultural traditions. However, we’re all, at the end of the day, family members, you know, that could have been any of our family members. And I would hate for it to happen unnecessarily to others,” she said.

A meeting on the proposed bill will be heard on Thursday, Jan. 16 before the Committee on Public Safety. Click here for more information.