If you’re planning to celebrate the new year with fireworks, you’d better act fast.

Firecrackers are a big part of New Year’s celebrations here in the islands, and demand for permits and firecrackers goes up every year.

On Oahu, firecracker permits are on sale now, but only until Thursday.

The firecrackers themselves go on sale Dec. 26, and stores we spoke to say they will sell out.

Don Quijote is one of 62 local stores that will begin selling firecrackers next week.

A spokesperson says the company increased its order 10-15 percent from last year, and tries to meet the demand, but it’s hard not knowing how many permits will be issued.

The number of fireworks permits has continually increased from around from around 10,922 in 2013 to 17,151 in 2016.

This year’s numbers aren’t out yet, but everyone KHON2 spoke to says they think more permits will be issued this year.

Oahu resident Byron Makishima stopped into the Fort Street Mall Satellite City Hall to purchase his firecracker permit. He says part of the reason why firecrackers are so popular, is because most other fireworks are banned.

“I mean from when you’re little, that’s what I remember doing every New Year’s,” Makishima said. “It’s become part of the culture, and I really miss it.”

The dangers related to fireworks, especially illegal fireworks, are no secret. Last year, one woman died after an illegal firework exploded.

Emergency Medical Services responded to 270 calls last New Year’s Eve, and spokeswoman Shayne Enright says officials expect this New Year’s Eve to be a busy one.

The Honolulu Police Department already received 500 fireworks-related 911 calls this month. Last year, HPD received 1,100 calls between Dec. 1 and Dec. 27.

A spokesperson for the Honolulu Fire Department says firefighters have yet to respond to any firework-related fires this month, but they do anticipate calls as it gets closer to the new year.

“I know there’s some hazards having fireworks,” Makishima said, “but I think it’s worth it personally, because we’re going stay within the law, right.”Click to read more fireworks information:

City and County of Honolulu

A permit is required to purchase firecrackers on Oahu. Firecrackers must be purchased from licensed retailers no earlier than five days prior to its use. Retail licenses shall be prominently displayed in public view and secured at the location for which the license has been issued. Licensed retailers shall not sell more than 5,000 individual firecrackers per permit.

Chapter 20, ROH requires that firecracker permits be obtained no later than ten days before they are used. The last day firecracker permits will be sold is December 21, 2017.

The sale of firecrackers within the City and County of Honolulu begins on December 26, 2017, and ends at 12 midnight on December 31, 2017.

On Oahu, firecrackers may be ignited or discharged from 9 p.m. on December 31, 2017, until 1 a.m. on January 1, 2018.

Individuals who purchase firecracker permits shall be reminded that a firecracker permit does not guarantee the availability of firecrackers for purchase, as firecracker inventories are determined by fireworks wholesalers and retailers.

According to Chapter 132D, HRS, the use of aerial fireworks is prohibited, unless the HFD’s Fire Chief issues a display permit.Public Fireworks Displays on Oahu

All firing times are approximate

Display Location: Aloha Tower Marketplace, Honolulu Harbor

Display Date: December 31, 2017

Firing Time: 9 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m., and 12 Midnight

Display Location: Barge fronting Kahala Avenue

Display Date: December 31, 2017

Firing Time: 10:30 p.m.

Display Location: Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort Lagoon

Display Date: December 31, 2017

Firing Time: 11:45 p.m.

Display Location:

Barge offshore of Waikiki

Display Date: December 31, 2017

Firing Time: 12 Midnight

Display Location: The Kahala Hotel & Resort

Display Date: December 31, 2017

Firing Time: 12 Midnight

Display Location: Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, Coves 1 and 2

Display Date: December 31, 2017

Firing Time: 12 Midnight

Display Location: Turtle Bay Resort

Display Date: December 31, 2017

Firing Time: 11:59 p.m.

Hawaii County

Fireworks permits will be available for purchase beginning Tuesday, Dec. 26, at the following locations for the upcoming New Year’s celebration. These sites are:

Parker Ranch Shopping Center Food Court, Kamuela, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on December 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31.

Fireworks permits will also be sold at the following firecracker vending outlets:

KTA Puainako, 50 E. Puainako Street, Hilo

KTA Kona; Kona Coast Shopping Center, 74-5594 Palani Rd. Kailua Kona

KTA Keauhou, 78-6831 Alii Drive, Keauhou Kona

Pacific Fireworks Kona, 74-5629 Kuakini Hwy, Suite 155, Kailua-Kona

J. Hara Store, 17-343 Volcano Hwy Kurtistown, HI

BJ Alan Tent Kona, 74-5586 Palani Rd. Kailua Kona

BJ Alan Tent Kona, 74-5454 Makala Blvd. Kailua Kona

BJ Alan Tent 75-1000 Henry St. Kailua-Kona

BJ Alan Tent 325 Maka’ala St. Hilo

BJ Alan Tent Hilo, 111 E. Puainako St. Hilo

Long’s Puainako 111 E. Puainako St. Hilo

TNT Tent Hilo 381 E. Maka’ala St. Hilo

Fireworks permits will also be available for purchase beginning December 26 at:

Fire Administration Office located at the Hilo County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2501, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on December 26, 27, 28, and 29.

Kona Fire Prevention Office, located at the West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Bldg E, second floor from, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on December 26, 27, 28, and 29.

Each permit costs $25 and will entitle the holder to purchase 5,000 individual firecrackers. Multiple permit purchases are authorized. Permits shall only be issued to persons 18 years of age or older and are non-transferable, and non-refundable.

Fireworks sales will begin on December 26 and will end at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Permits are not required for the purchasing of novelties and paperless firecrackers.

Setting off fireworks for New Year celebrations are allowed between the hours of 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Permits shall be visibly displayed at the site of use, during the time of the firing.

For more information on the purchasing of fireworks permits, or the use of fireworks, please call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 932-2911 (Hilo) or 323-4760 (Kona).

Maui County

Firework permits will become available on Monday, Dec. 18 until Dec. 29, 2017.

The sale of New Year’s Eve fireworks begins on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017, and ends Monday, Jan. 1, 2018 at 12:01 a.m.

A fireworks permit is not 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, a fireworks permit is required for the use of fire crackers. The following are details for fireworks permits.

Each permit costs $25.00, payable by check/money order to the County of Maui. Cash will be accepted at the Fire Prevention Bureau and Pine Isle Market only

Each permit allows a purchase of up to 5,000 pieces of fire crackers

There is no limit to the number of permits issued to each person

Permit applicants must be 18 years or older and show proof of age at time of permit processing

937 permits are available on Maui

89 permits are available on Lanai

84 permits are available on Molokai

*Permits are available December 18-29, 2017, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at these County of Maui offices:

CENTRAL MAUI, Fire Prevention Bureau – Consolidated Baseyard, 313 Manea Pl. Waikapu

WEST MAUI, County Parks & Recreation Permit Office – Lahaina Civic Center, 1840 Honoapiilani Hwy. Lahaina

MOLOKAI, County Parks & Recreation Permit Office – Mitchell Pauole Community Center, 90 Ainoa St.

*County offices are closed Monday, Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas.

A limited number of permits will be available at these retail locations:

KAHULUI

Phantom Fireworks, front parking lot of Queen Kaahumanu Center, 275 West Kaahumanu Ave.

KIHEI

Pacific Starr Fireworks, Piilani Shopping Village, 225 Piikea Ave.

TNT Fireworks Golden Dragon, Piilani Shopping Village, 277 Piikea Ave.

LANAI

Pine Isle Market

Permit required firecrackers will be sold at the following locations:

ALL MAUI LOCATIONS of:

CVS Longs Drugs

Foodland – with the exception of Lahaina Farms

WAILUKU

Sack N Save

Walgreens

KAHULUI

Phantom Fireworks, Queen Kaahumanu Center

KIHEI

Pacific Starr Fireworks, Piilani Shopping Village

TNT Fireworks Golden Dragon, Piilani Shopping Village

MOLOKAI

Misaki’s Grocery

Take’s Variety Store

LANAI

Pine Isle Market

The Maui Fire Department reminds residents of the following rules regarding fireworks use:

Fireworks can only be legally set off from 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve to 1 a.m. New Year’s Day

Setting off fireworks outside of designated times is punishable by law. Violations are subject to fines of up to $2,000

Aerial fireworks are illegal and extremely dangerous. The import, transfer, sale, or use of aerial fireworks without a permit is a Class C Felony

Public Aerial Fireworks Display Locations

Grand Wailea Resort – Offshore barge

3850 Wailea Alanui Drive

Dec. 31, 2017 – begins approx. 11:59 p.m.

Four Seasons Resort Lanai – Laydown Area between the resort and Manele Harbor

1 Manele Bay Rd.

Dec. 31, 2017 – begins approx. 11:59 p.m.

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 1,000 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, or set off, ignite or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except that the parents or guardians may allow the minor to use fireworks while under the immediate supervision and control of an adult

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