This holiday season police seized 8,394 pounds of illegal fireworks with a street value of $300,000, Honolulu police Chief Susan Ballard announced Wednesday.
Between Dec. 1 and Tuesday, police responded to 1,800 fireworks-related calls. Officers made five arrests and issued 54 citations for fireworks-related violations.
Police seized on New Year’s Eve a rental van filled with 1,800 pounds of aerials and other illegal fireworks in Kaneohe.
The van appeared to be dropping off illegal fireworks, police said.
Officers cited two men who were outside the van for fireworks violations, but did not make any arrests.
Detectives are continuing a felony investigation against the two men involving possession of the illegal fireworks, but the case is still pending, Deputy Chief John McCarthy said Wednesday.
In this case, police stumbled upon the van, McCarthy said, but added, “It’s tricky to prove possession since they were outside the vehicle.”
He said in cases where illegal fireworks are used, someone must witness the act. A law allows people to videotape the use of illegal fireworks, but someone must testify in court that he or she witnessed it.
Suspicious nene geese deaths investigated
Kauai prosecutors are investigating allegations against a homeowner suspected of killing at least four nene geese with a BB gun.
Officials are not identifying the suspect because charges have not been filed, they said.
The case was turned over to Kauai prosecutors after a 10-month investigation into the allegations by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hawaii News Now reported Tuesday.
Nene are native to Hawaii and are federally protected.
The species came close to extinction in the 1950s.
It is believed that there are 2,000 of the geese left in the wild.
The homeowner could be charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty. Those convicted can face penalties of up to 30 days in jail and fines of up to $1,000.
