Two Honolulu City Council members seeking to add sparklers and fountains to the list of permitted fireworks on special holidays say they are hoping a new law can be in place by Dec. 31, if not by Independence Day.

Council members Ikaika Anderson and Ann Kobayashi introduced Bill 5 Wednesday.

The measure would include sparklers and fountains as fireworks allowed to be purchased by Oahu consumers who obtain $25 fireworks permits from the city.

A law on the books since Oahu residents rang in 2012 allows only 5,000 common firecrackers for each permit specifically for New Year’s, Independence Day or Chinese New Year.

The bill would allow the same permit owner to purchase up to 160 sparklers or fountains in addition to 5,000 firecrackers. As with the existing firecracker law, there would be no limit on the number of permits someone over 18 could buy for each of the three listed holidays.

Anderson said the bill could be passed in time to allow revelers to set off sparklers and fountains when they ring in 2015, if not by the Fourth of July.

"I’ve had many people call my office, I’ve had many people stop me in the community and speak with me about their frustration and disappointment about not being able to use sparklers and fountains in their Fourth of July and New Year’s celebrations," Anderson said.

The bill is a fair compromise between health and safety concerns and requests by those who want to use sparklers and fountains, he said.

Kobayashi said it appears most injuries and fires were caused primarily by aerial fireworks, which would remain illegal under both state and county laws, rather than sparklers and fountains.

"We’re trying to bring back things that people enjoy."

The bill also includes a provision allowing people who purchase the permits to obtain a refund if they don’t use them within 30 days of receiving them.