Question: On the Monday evening after New Year’s, as I drove into our valley in East Oahu, I saw something in the sky. At first I couldn’t tell what it was, because it was almost stationary and orange-looking. I then realized it was a floating lantern, made of paper, with a flame that makes it float. I was alarmed, afraid and angry, because a widespread fire could have ensued if it floated into the ridges of the valley, not to mention the danger to the houses in our neighborhood. I told my wife that I would call the cops once we got home, but alas, it was no longer to be seen. Several countries have banned them. Can anything be done here?
Answer: There is no state or county law banning "aerial luminaries," also known as "sky lanterns," although there is a move to regulate their use.
Popular in Asia, they have made their way to the United States and were first observed in Hawaii in 2010 — www.staradvertiser.com/news/20101231_Fire_officials_fret_over_new_sky_lanterns.html.
At that time, fire officials in the various counties were caught off guard at the appearance of the novelty items, which aren’t prohibited because they have no pyrotechnic composition and thus are not classified as fireworks.
Although retailers insist the lanterns are safe if used properly, fire officials warned of their dangers, asking people to voluntarily not use them. Despite the warnings, they were seen all over Oahu this past New Year’s.
Honolulu police officers reported seeing about 10 sky lanterns drifting in the Kapolei area on New Year’s Eve and notified airport officials at Barbers Point and Honolulu Airport.
"Fire departments statewide feel that aerial luminaries pose a safety hazard to our communities, as they contain an uncontrolled open flame and may start a fire if they land on combustible vegetation or buildings," said Capt. Terry Seelig, spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department. "Aerial luminaries could also come in contact with power lines, interfere with aircraft flight patterns and cause injury or death to livestock."
He explained that the paper lanterns have a flame inside that heats air, causing the lanterns to lift as high as several hundred feet, traveling wherever the wind takes them.
"When the lantern falls back to earth, it could be on fire or smoldering," Seelig said. However, "It is unclear if aerial luminaries are subject to a county’s open burning ordinance, which is based on the State Fire Code."
The State Fire Council, comprised of fire chiefs from the four counties, urged lawmakers to take steps to ban the product.
State legislators introduced a bill last year to that effect, but the bill did not make it out of committee.
"This session, the State Fire Council will work with legislators to reintroduce a bill that will impose a total ban on aerial luminaries," Seelig said.
Question: Looks like it is time to remind people that refrigerators put out for bulky pickup should have doors removed or taped shut. I reported two to 911, including one on Kaneloa Road near Jefferson School. Do we need another suffocated child to get the message out?
Answer: Among the city’s rules for bulky-item pickup is that doors on refrigerators be removed, tied closed or placed against the ground or wall to prevent it from opening. See opala.org/solid_waste/bulky_item_pickup.html#what.
MAHALO
To an angel from the Big Island. After trying for a long while, I could not get my car started in the parking lot of Zippy’s at King and Piikoi streets on Jan. 3. I went to two nearby gas stations, and they weren’t able to help. As I sat in my car trying to get it started, a young family with two children came out from Zippy’s. The man helped, and within a short time my car started! I offered some money but he refused. Bless him and his family. — Mary
Write to "Kokua Line" at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
