4th July Fireworks On Sale June 29; Allowed Times Issued

By Maui Now Staff

An example of consumer fireworks that are legal to use between set times without a permit. File photo by Wendy Osher.

The county Department of Fire and Public Safety has announced that the sale of fireworks will begin on Sunday, June 29 and ends at 8 pm on July 4, 2014.

Fireworks permits will not be required for consumer fireworks such as sparklers, snakes, and cylindrical or cone fountains which emit effects not higher than 12 feet off the ground.

However, the department says that at this time none of the local retailers are selling any “firecrackers” — which are distinguished as a subset of  “fireworks” as an explosive device intended to cause noise rather than a visual effect — therefore no firecracker permits will be issued. (Editor’s note: the department further clarified the definition of “firecrackers” with the following: “… single paper cylinders not exceeding one and one-half inches in length excluding the fuse and one-quarter of an inch in diameter and contain a charge of not more than fifty milligrams of pyrotechnic composition.”)

The Fire Prevention Bureau would also like to remind residents of the following rules in relation to fireworks.

Fireworks can only be legally set off from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Fourth of July. Setting off fireworks outside designated times is punishable by law.

Violations are subject to fines of up to $2,000.

Aerial fireworks are illegal and extremely dangerous. Importing and selling aerial fireworks without a permit is a Class C Felony, say fire officials.

General Prohibitions

• It is unlawful to remove or extract pyrotechnic contents.
• It is unlawful to throw any ignited fireworks from a moving vehicle.
• It is unlawful to set off fireworks within 1000 feet of health care facilities and facilities for animals.
• It is unlawful to set off fireworks by schools.
• It is unlawful to set off fireworks on public roads, in County parks, at County facilities, cane fields, or places of worship.
• It is unlawful for any person without a permit to set off, ignite, discharge or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks within 500 feet from any hotel.
• It is unlawful for any person to offer for sale, sell or give any fireworks to minors, and for any minors to possess, purchase, set off, ignite or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except that which parents or guardians may allow the minor to use while under the immediate supervision and control of an adult.

Fire and public safety officials request that the public “leave fireworks to the professionals” and refrain from using personal fireworks.

County officials say this year there is one public fireworks display scheduled at 8 p.m. on the 4th of July, from a barge offshore of Front Street. Motorists should note that a closure of Front Street is scheduled for the 4th of July celebration.

For additional information on the fireworks permits, contact the Maui Fire Prevention Bureau at (808) 244-9161 or visit www.co.maui.hi.us and review the fireworks rules under the “Fire Control” section.

Costco  – Kahului
Foodland Super Market

– Kahului
– Lahaina
– Wailuku

Walmart   – Kahului