As Oahu prepares for an expected explosive Fourth of July, law enforcement is rolling out new technology and counting on tougher penalties in an aggressive bid to curb illegal aerial fireworks.
Efforts by the Honolulu Police Department, in
coordination with the state Department of Law Enforcement through the Illegal Fireworks Task Force, come just four days after Gov. Josh Green signed two new laws targeting the ongoing threat.
This year will mark the first time HPD deploys its fleet of 10 surveillance drones to track fireworks violators in real time. The unmanned aircraft are normally used for pursuits and surveillance, but will now provide overhead eyes throughout the chaotic holiday weekend — especially in communities where
aerials tyically light up the skies, often illegally.
“We’ve never had this kind of advantage before,” DLE Director Mike Lambert told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “Drones can keep constant watch where officers on the ground can’t. That means catching people in the act — even when they try to hide.”
Illegal fireworks have been a persistent problem in Honolulu for decades, especially around major holidays like the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve. While fireworks are widely enjoyed at permitted public shows, private aerial fireworks have long been banned due to safety and fire risks.
Historically, enforcement has been a challenge for HPD. Officers on patrol often face difficulties catching
violators in the act. Many
users quickly hide fireworks or disperse before police
arrive, leading to a low number of citations despite frequent complaints and calls.
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Lambert said that in
recent years, enforcement numbers hovered in the double digits, with around 30 citations issued during New Year’s. This year, law enforcement officers are aiming for “substantial”
increases — into the
hundreds.
The city’s long-standing struggle with enforcement took a deadly turn on New Year’s Day, when a cache of illegal aerial fireworks exploded in a Salt Lake-Aliamanu neighborhood, killing six people and injuring more than 20. The blast, which occurred in a residential driveway, left victims with severe burns and trauma, and prompted widespread public outcry. First responders described the scene as one of the worst in recent memory. In the wake of the tragedy, state lawmakers and law enforcement began taking more proactive and aggressive measures, culminating in the passage of two new laws aimed at cracking down on illegal fireworks and enhancing surveillance, enforcement and prosecution efforts.
The new laws bring significantly steeper penalties. Fines start at $200 for illegal consumer-grade fireworks, such as fountains or firecrackers and rise to $300 for the more dangerous aerials often referred to as “sky bombs.”
Criminal charges may apply in more serious cases — such as individuals caught with more than five pounds of fireworks, or those who refuse to identify themselves. The legislation also introduces enhanced civil fines and felony-level charges for repeat offenders or large-scale distributors.
To support the expanded enforcement efforts, the state is investing $2 million to establish an explosives
forensics lab aimed at processing evidence more efficiently and allocating $500,000 specifically for sting operations and surveillance. The statewide task force, which coordinates
efforts between state and county agencies, has also been extended through 2028 to ensure long-term oversight and strategy.
Lambert said the new laws close loopholes and raise the stakes.
Under federal regulations, HPD’s drones must operate in public airspace and are restricted from surveillance of areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy — such as fenced-in backyards. However, they are allowed to observe
activity visible from public vantage points, like streets, sidewalks and front yards.
Lambert said that’s
often sufficient to identify
violators and coordinate
enforcement.
“If we see someone
lighting aerials in a driveway or front yard, the drone pilot can describe them to officers on the ground,” he
said. “A female in a yellow shirt by the mailbox — we verify and issue the
citation.”
Lambert noted that even if the violator runs, the footage allows HPD to cite the homeowner, based on a
legal provision holding
property owners liable.
“A regular person who used to get off with a misdemeanor can now be charged with a felony,” he said. “That has real consequences — jobs, housing, even immigration status.”
Unlike past years, officers won’t be issuing warnings for aerials.
“There is no education
period this year,” Lambert said. “If you’re lighting
aerials, expect a ticket — or worse.”
However, HPD may still use discretion with less
serious violations, like
firecrackers or consumer fireworks without a permit.
Still, Lambert said the goal is clear: triple-digit citation counts — a dramatic
increase from past years, when only dozens of fireworks tickets were issued over the holiday.
HPD and state law
enforcement are encouraging residents to submit video tips of neighbors lighting fireworks — so long as the video is current and the person filming is willing to sign off on the time and date.
A fireworks buyback event is expected later this month, similar to one held after New Year’s, when Lambert said many residents “realized how dangerous this had gotten.”
Lambert acknowledged that fireworks are deeply embedded in local tradition, but he believes the culture has strayed too far.
“In Hawaii, we’ve accepted fireworks as part of celebration — but we’ve gone beyond red firecrackers and family fun,” Lambert said. “Now it’s aerial bombs, injuries, even deaths.”
He added: “We hope to change public sentiment. Unfortunately, that means making examples out of people this weekend.”
Law enforcement and
the governor’s office are urging residents to celebrate safely by attending permitted, professional fireworks shows instead of lighting their own. Officials also are exploring ways to expand access to public displays — particularly in underserved areas like the Leeward Coast — to reduce the demand for illegal
aerials.
“If the reason people are putting on their own shows is because there’s nothing in their neighborhood, then we want to fix that,” Lambert said. “But until then, we’ll be enforcing the law — and we won’t be issuing warnings.”