FIREWORKS SALES DOWN ON MAUI, BUT CENTRAL SOLD OUT

Retailers in Central Maui sold out of fireworks requiring permits by early yesterday, but novelty items were still on hand across the county.  Foodland in Kahului and Sac-n-Save in Wailuku sold out of their stock of permitted firecrackers, but sales still remained well below last year’s numbers.  A total of 65 permits were issued by the Wailuku Fire Prevention Bureau by late yesterday-that’s significantly lower than the 334 permits sold county wide last year.  Capt. Val Martin said the fire and police department will be working together this year to actively enforce firework laws.  Violators caught popping illegal fireworks face felony fines upwards of $2,000.  Those caught igniting firecrackers outside of designated times of 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., will be issued a summons to appear in court for the misdemeanor offense.  Martin says the weather will play a big factor tonight.  Calm winds from the south are expected-making for smoky conditions.  There are three professional aerial firework displays in Maui County tonight.  The fireworks can be viewed off of Hulo-poe Point at Manele Bay on Lanai, at Fagan’s Cross in Hana and off shore of the Wailea Resort area in South Maui.  Capt. Val Martin with the Maui Fire Prevention Bureau in Wailuku said the weather will play a big factor tonight in how busy the department is.  Calm winds from the south are expected, making for smoky conditions.  (Posted:  Wednesday, December 31, 2008)

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