Update: At least 4 dead, more than 20 injured in New Year’s firework explosion on Oʻahu

Update:

Today, Jan. 6, 2025, at approximately 1:30 a.m., another person, a 3-year-old male child has died at the hospital following the deadly firework explosion in Aliamanu on New Year’s Day. He is the 4th death in this incident, according to Honolulu police.

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A New Year’s celebration turned deadly on Oʻahu when a firework explosion killed at least three individuals and left more than 20 people in serious or critical condition, according to authorities. The tragedy was reported just after midnight at a home on Keaka Drive in the Salt Lake area of Honolulu. Gov. Josh Green confirmed a fourth death from a fireworks incident in another area of the county.

The three individuals that were confirmed as deceased in the Salt Lake incident were adult females, including a 23-year-old woman who died after transport from the scene, according to Honolulu police.

Honolulu Emergency Medical Services responded to the report in Salt Lake of an apparent firework blast with more than a dozen ambulance crews arriving on scene. During a 2 p.m. press conference, the governor described a horrific scene in which a cake type firework was set up on a table which apparently fell over and shot into an area where other fireworks were located, setting off the explosion.

Paramedics were able to identify a total of 22 patients, according to early reports, including two who were pronounced deceased on the scene and 20 who were transported in serious or critical condition to various hospitals throughout the island.

Gov. Josh Green issued a statement on Wednesday morning saying:

“On behalf of the state of Hawai‘i, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those lost in the horrific Salt Lake fireworks tragedy and I pray for the full recovery of the injured.
 
Because combating illegal fireworks has been a priority, we established the Illegal Fireworks Task Force in 2023 to identify and disrupt supply chains. It has seized 227,000 pounds of illegal fireworks to date, but incidents like this remind us of the ongoing challenges we face.
 
We must continue to work together to prevent tragedies. I urge residents to report illegal activity and to prioritize safety. My administration remains committed to protecting our communities and preventing further loss.
 
While my heart is heavy on this first day of 2025—EMS, the Honolulu Fire Department and the Honolulu Police Department have my deepest gratitude. All acted swiftly and heroically to provide care under extremely difficult circumstances.”

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Wednesday issued the following statement regarding the tragedy:

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“It is with both frustration and sorrow that I address the tragedy that occurred last night in Salt Lake just after midnight on New Year’s Eve. A massive explosion caused by what appears to be illegal fireworks claimed at least three lives and left over 20 others critically injured. This incident is a painful reminder of the danger posed by illegal fireworks, which put lives at risk, drain our first responder resources, and disrupt our communities. 

Year after year, a minority of individuals recklessly endanger us all. This is absurd and unacceptable. My administration remains committed to working with federal and state agencies to shut down this illegal firework trade once and for all. We will push for stronger enforcement, tougher penalties, new technologies, and a united effort to stop the import of illegal fireworks.

Our communities deserve better. We cannot allow this senseless danger to persist, and we will take decisive action to ensure the safety and well-being of Oʻahu residents.”

Here on Maui, fire crews responded to 22 fires throughout the County between 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

“The vast majority of these were small, incipient stage brush fires, less than 10 feet by 10 feet in size or rubbish bin/dumpster fires.  All the fires were quickly extinguished by a single company of fire fighters,” department officials said.  

There was a single emergency medical call in Maui County, in which Maui first responders treated an individual who received an eye injury as the result of fireworks and was transported to the hospital by Emergency Medical Services personnel.

“There was no notable uptick in the number of other types of incidents we responded to, with emergency medical calls and motor vehicle accidents being the two most common,” according to the Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety.

There were multiple fireworks related incidents on Oʻahu besides the deadly blast that occurred just after midnight. Emergency Medical Services in Honolulu reported the following responses:

Dec. 31, 2024

9:51 p.m.: 606 N. Kukui St. in Kalihi on Oʻahu. Honolulu EMS responded to a teenager who suffered burns to his hand from an apparent firework blast. Paramedics treated with advanced medical care and transported the 14-year-old boy in serious condition to a trauma center.

11:04 p.m.: Lukela Lane on Oʻahu. Honolulu EMS responded to a 19-year-old male patient who suffered multiple traumatic injuries, including a severe arm injury, from a suspected firework blast. Paramedics on scene treated the patient with advanced life support and transported him in critical condition to a trauma center.

11:27 p.m.: Honolulu EMS responded to a patient who suffered a traumatic hand injury from a suspected firework blast. The 34-year-old male patient was driven to Honolulu Fire Department station 38, where paramedics treated and transported him in serious condition to an area hospital. 

Jan. 1, 2025

12:04 a.m.: Linapuni Street on Oʻahu; Honolulu EMS responded to a 25-year-old man who suffered an extensive hand injury from an apparent firework explosion. Paramedics on scene treated him for his injuries and transported him in serious condition to a trauma center. 

12:06 a.m.: Kuhia Place in Ewa on Oʻahu; Honolulu EMS responded to a firework related incident, where two patients suffered minor burn injuries to their legs due to a firework. Paramedics treated the 59-year-old woman and 72-year-old man and transported them in minor condition to an area hospital. 

*Editor’s note: This story was updated to include information shared in an afternoon news conference.