County Reminds Residents of Fireworks laws, Permits for Fourth of July

Kaua‘i Fire officials are reminding the public that a permit must be obtained by the fire department by today, July 3, to purchase and ignite firecrackers on the Fourth of July, according to a news release from the County of Kaua‘i.

Fireworks and firecrackers may only be ignited on private property between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 4.

Applications are available at KFD headquarters located at the Līhu‘e Civic Center Pi‘ikoi Building, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 315, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The cost of a fireworks permit is $25. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Only licensed pyro-technicians with proper permits are authorized to ignite aerial fireworks.

There are three fireworks shows open to the public this week as follows:

• Wednesday, July 3 – The annual America’s Most West Freedom Fest will be held from 4 to 11 p.m., at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kekaha.
• Thursday, July 4 – The 30^thAnnual Kaua‘i Hospice Concert in the Sky will be held from 3 to 9:30 p.m., at the Vidinha Stadium Soccer Field in Līhu‘e.
• Thursday, July 4 – The Kekaha Fourth of July Celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., at Kekaha Faye Park.

Although the following items are classified as fireworks, no permit is required to purchase them: snakes, sparklers, fountains, cylindrical or cone fountains, whistles, toy smoke devices, wheels and ground spinners, and other similar products.

The Kaua‘i Fire Department reminds the public that it is illegal to set off fireworks on public property, including streets, sidewalks, parks, and beaches. Removing the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework is prohibited.

The public is also advised that all aerial luminaries, also known as flying lanterns or flying luminaries, are prohibited in the State of Hawai‘i, per HRS 132-19.

Captain Daryl Date with the Fire Prevention Bureau advises everyone to exercise caution when igniting fireworks, follow listed instructions and be sure that children are under adult supervision at all times.

For more information about fire safety, contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at 241-4985.