Independence Day Fires

A fire in Ho`olehua was the only fireworks-related brush fire to take place in Maui County over the Fourth of July holiday, according to the Maui Fire Department. The small brush fire took place on Ala Ekahi St. on Molokai, and is believed to have been started by aerial fireworks.

It was one of five brush fires in the county over the holiday, though the other four brush fires on Maui were unrelated to fireworks. There were 11 other fire-related incidents between 8 a.m. on July 4 and 1:30 a.m. on July 5 in the county, including one injury from fireworks use. An 8-year- old girl in Makawao was brought to the local fire station by her parents and treated for burns after a firework jumped out of a fire and landed on her clothing, according to the fire department.

In Maui County, a permit obtained from the Maui Fire Prevention Bureau is required to launch aerial fireworks. A fireworks permit is also required for the use of fire crackers, which can also be obtained from the Maui Fire Prevention Bureau. Non-regulated fireworks can be purchased from authorized sales locations, which on Molokai include Take’s Variety Store and Misaki’s. The Fire Department advises safety measures and adult supervision whenever using fireworks, to prevent fire and injury.

Fireworks can only legally be set off during designated hours of specific holidays. These occasions are New Years, Chinese New Years and Independence Day, according to Maui County law. Setting off fireworks outside designated times is punishable by law, and violators can be fined up to $2,000. So if you didn’t get your fill of fireworks on July 4th, wait until it’s time to ring in 2018!