Four arrests for fireworks violations were reported statewide as police departments cracked down on illegal pyrotechnics through the New Year holiday.
The Honolulu Police Department announced Thursday that the department responded to 592 calls for service involving fireworks violations, which led to a pair of arrests.
Those two arrests were for misdemeanor offenses, Acting Deputy Chief Ryan Nishibun told Aloha State Daily, such as owning illegal fireworks or launching fireworks without a permit. Further details about the arrests will be released on Monday, Jan. 5.
Meanwhile, the nearly 600 calls for service dwarfed the 395 calls made during the 2024-2025 New Year’s holiday, which Nishibun said doesn’t necessarily indicate an increase of activity. Rather, he said, the increase reflects a populace more aware of the dangers of illegal fireworks.
“A lot of people have said it slowed down this year, in the days leading up to New Year’s,” Nishibun said. “And I think that’s right, I think it has cooled off.”
Nishibun credited the reduction in activity to public and media outreach about fireworks violations throughout 2025, following the Aliamanu fireworks disaster that killed six people one year ago.
Nonetheless, Nishibun added that HPD is “always ready on New Year’s Eve” and that the department had 100% of its patrol districts fully staffed — which, in some districts, meant about 25 officers on patrol, he said — over the holiday, along with multiple support units.
Meanwhile, on Maui, 118 people called the Maui Police Department for fireworks violations, leading to another two arrests.
According to an MPD statement, one arrest was of a 27-year-old Lahaina man charged with illegally using aerial fireworks and launching fireworks without a license.
The other arrest involved an incident that hospitalized a Kahului man. MPD reported that a suspected illegal aerial firework exploded near the man’s legs, opening a wound on his shin and leading him to be transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center with serious injuries.
A 26-year-old Kahului man was arrested following the incident and charged with first-degree reckless endangering, along with an additional penalty for the involvement of fireworks. He later posted a $20,000 bail.
MPD is also investigating a fireworks incident that damaged a Kahului residence. A video shared on social media depicts the incident, in which a suspected aerial firework struck the home, shattering windows, knocking items off shelves and damaging the house’s siding.
MPD reported there are no known suspects in the Kahului case, but anyone with information is encouraged to contact MPD at (808) 244-6400 and mention report number 26-000013.
The Kaua‘i Police Department reported receiving 56 calls related to firework violations and no reported injuries.
ASD also requested comments and data from the Hawai‘i County Police Department.
