Ban likely to stifle New Year’s fireworks

Oahu residents will celebrate New Year’s Eve under a new fireworks ban.

The ban was passed by the City Council in 2010 but didn’t go into effect until January. It outlaws nearly all fireworks on Oahu. The exception is firecrackers, for which consumers will still need permits.

Each $25 permit entitles an adult to buy up to 5,000 firecrackers.

As of noon Friday the city had sold 431 permits, less than the 591 permits sold as of Dec. 9 last year when nonfirecracker types of fireworks could be purchased. For this year’s Fourth of July holiday, 95 permits were sold. That was also down from 2010, before the fireworks ban took effect, when the city sold 174 permits for Independence Day.

There is no limit on the number of permits a person can buy. Permits are available at satellite city halls. The city ordinance also stops permits from being sold after Dec. 21.

The $25 fee is nonrefundable. The permits must be used in the year issued and only for the designated holiday.

Other consumer fireworks, including sparklers, fountains and "paperless" fireworks, are banned from sale, purchase or use.

The use of aerial fireworks is also banned.

With a permit, firecrackers can be purchased from Dec. 26 to midnight Dec. 31.

Firecrackers can be set off from 9 p.m., Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.

Only adults are allowed to set off firecrackers. That is a change from the old law, which allowed people under 18 to set off fireworks under adult supervision.

Possessing or setting off illegal fireworks is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000.

Under the 2010 ordinance, consumers can buy firecrackers for use on New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year’s Day, July 4 and for cultural uses.