MEDIA RELEASE

Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira announced that fireworks permits will be issued beginning Friday, December 26, 2008, at various locations island-wide for the upcoming New Years celebration. The sites are:

• Hawaii Fire Department Administration, 2100 Kanoelehua Ave., C-5, Hilo (8:00 am- 8:00pm, December 26th – 31st )
• Pinky’s 5/Eight, Papaikou
• Pacific Fireworks Hilo, 319 Kalanikoa Street, Hilo
• Parker Ranch Shopping Center Food Court, Kamuela (9:00am-8:00pm, December 26th-31st )
• M. Nakahara Store, Hawi
• Kona Fire Prevention Office, Kona Service Center, Hanama Place, 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 109, Kailua-Kona (8:00am-8:00pm, December 26th-31st )
• Pacific Fireworks Kona, 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua Kona
• Puna Fresh Foods, Keaau
• TNT Fireworks Tent, Prince Kuhio Plaza, Makaala Street, HIlo
• Long’s Drugs, Kilauea Avenue, Hilo
• Rodney Freitas, Pahala
• Long’s Drugs Puainako
• Kadota Liquors Hilo

Each permit, which costs $25.00, will entitle the holder to purchase 5,000 count firecrackers. Permits will be issued to a person 18 years of age or older and are non-transferable. Setting off of fireworks is allowable only between the hours of 9:00 p.m. on New Years Eve to 1:00 a.m. on New Years Day. Permits should be visibly displayed at the site of use on the day at the time of the firing.
Persons who fail to follow all rules and regulations may have their permit revoked.Chief Oliveira reminds the public that it is illegal for anyone to:

1.Remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks;
2.Throw fireworks from a moving vehicle;
3.Set off any fireworks:
At any time not within the time periods as permitted;
(more)
Within 1,000 feet of any operating hospital, nursing home, home for the elderly or animal hospital;
In any school building or on any school grounds and yards on any occasion; and
On any highway, alley, street, sidewalk or other public way; in any park; or within 1,000 feet of a church during the periods when services are held.

4.It is illegal for any person to offer for sale, sell, or give any fireworks to minors, and for any minor to possess, purchase, or set off, ignite, or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except under the immediate supervision of an adult.

The Hawaii Fire Department also asks everyone to do their part to prevent fires and injuries caused by fireworks:

1.Please use care when setting off fireworks.
2.Children playing with fireworks must be under adult supervision. Even the smallest of fireworks can cause serious injuries.
3.Fireworks should be set off in a safe area away from any dry grass or flammable materials.
4.Dispose of used fireworks properly, and have water or a fire extinguisher on hand in case of a fire.

Permits are not required for novelties and paperless firecrackers.

Fireworks sales will not begin until December 26, 2008.

For more information on purchasing firecracker permits or the use of fireworks, please call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 981-8370 (Hilo) or 327-3546 (Kona).

New Year’s fireworks at Kona Hotel in Holualoa.