Police: No New Year’s Fireworks Arrests on Hawaii Island

Police say no one was arrested for fireworks offenses this year, compared with three a year ago.

This was the first New Year’s under a stricter Oahu ordinance prohibiting non-firecracker consumer fireworks.

There were 40 percent fewer fireworks complaints during this New Year’s holiday week than a year ago. There were 27 citations issued for fireworks violations, down from more than 300 in 2010.

Emergency services officials say two people were taken to hospitals in serious condition with fireworks-related injuries while two others were hospitalized with smoke-related conditions.

State Sen. Will Espero headed the illegal fireworks task force. He tells the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he wants to see a bill passed to provide resources for spot inspections of cargo ships to prevent illegal aerials from arriving in Hawaii.