New Year’s Eve firework permits on sale till Dec. 31

County reminds residents that aerial fireworks are illegal

New Year’s Eve fireworks permits will be on sale through Dec. 31, allowing for the purchase and use of firecrackers.

The cost is $25 per permit, with each permit allowing for the purchase of up to 5,000 pieces of firecrackers. Permit applicants must be at least 18 years old and show proof of their age. There is no limit to the number of permits issued to each person.

Permits aren’t required for consumer fireworks such as sparklers, snakes and cylindrical or cone fountains that emit effects no higher than 12 feet off the ground.

A check or money order made payable to the County of Maui is required to purchase the permits, except at the Fire Prevention Bureau in Waikapu and Pine Isle Market on Lanai, where cash will be accepted.

Permits will be sold from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, except for Christmas Day, at the Fire Prevention Bureau at 313 Manea Place in the Waikapu Consolidated Baseyard.

A limited number of fireworks permits also will be available at Phantom Fireworks, fronting the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center parking lot in Kahului; King’s Cathedral, 777 Maui Veterans Highway in Kahului; Pacific Starr Fireworks at Piilani Shopping Village in Kihei; and King’s Cathedral, 1221 Honoapiilani Highway in Lahaina.

Firecrackers requiring permits will be sold at Kahului and Wailuku locations of CVS Longs Drugs; Kahului, Wailuku, Kihei and Lahaina locations of Foodland Super Market; Sack n Save in Wailuku; Phantom Fireworks and King’s Cathedral in Kahului; Pacific Starr Fireworks in Kihei; King’s Cathedral in Lahaina; and Pine Isle Market on Lanai.

On Molokai, firecrackers are being sold at Misaki’s Grocery and Take’s Variety Store.

Fireworks can be legally set off from 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve to 1 a.m. New Year’s Day. Setting off fireworks outside those designated times is a violation carrying fines of up to $2,000.

Aerial fireworks are illegal. Importing, transferring, selling or using aerial fireworks without a permit is a felony offense.

The Fire Department reminds residents to supervise children using fireworks and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety tips. The department also recommends that people have a clear, flat area away from structures, dry grass or brush or other ignitable materials to set off fireworks and to have a water hose or bucket readily available in case of a fire.

It’s illegal to remove or extract pyrotechnic contents, throw ignited fireworks from a moving vehicle or set off fireworks within 1,000 feet of health care facilities and facilities for animals. It’s also illegal to set off fireworks by schools, on public roads, in county parks, at county facilities, cane fields or places of worship.

Without a permit, it’s illegal to ignite fireworks within 500 feet of a hotel.

It’s illegal for anyone to sell or give fireworks to minors and for minors to possess, purchase or set off or ignite fireworks, except when allowed by parents or guardians while the minor is under immediate supervision and control of an adult.

More information about fireworks permits is available by calling the Fire Prevention Bureau at 876-4690.