Latest news with #Aliamanu
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hawaii elected officials won't be above illegal fireworks crackdown
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The state Department of Law Enforcement is getting serious about cracking down on illegal fireworks thanks to new legislation. Illegal fireworks have exploded across Hawaii with little consequence for years, but resulted in tragedy in the first seconds of 2025 in Aliamanu. Newly passed legislation funds the DLE to the tune of $7.6 million to go after offenders. Medical Examiner identifies 3-year-old boy killed in Aliamanu fireworks incident 'Where things will be different is these are new sets of tools that law enforcement can use and investigators can and also prosecution,' said Sen. Brandon Elefante. Among those tools are the fact that the state illegal fireworks task force was extended — eight full time positions focused on enforcement were also funded. 'To be able to go after, basically repeat offenders and people violating our illegal fireworks laws that, really it's about health and safety of our communities,' Sen. Elefante said. Sixth person dies from Oahu fireworks tragedy: 'Murder is murder' 'I think the beauty of this new law is that it gives our foot in the door to bigger investigations, because we may see the drone, the drone may fly over, we may see what is only going to be a civil violation. But when we go there to cite, we go out and see the illegal fireworks in open view, which may lead to a larger investigations,' said DLE Director Mike Lambert. Lambert added that while the vast majority of illegal fireworks come through ports, some do come through the mail but he will focus on shipping container seizures during his said the public's long standing frustration has fueled the push for results. 'The biggest thing that hurts public trust is, 'How can it be this bad,' Right? 'How is it possible? Who is involved?' And those are all of the things that in my new position, we're going to find out,' Lambert said. 'And if those people along the way are government workers then, well, you know, expect to be prosecuted.' Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Four fireworks-related bills made it through the Legislature in 2025 and director Lambert said he expects Gov. Josh Green to sign them into law before the Fourth of July. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Woman, 30, is sixth to die from Aliamanu fireworks
A sixth person died Wednesday morning after suffering critical injuries at an Aliamanu New Year's party when a stockpile of illegal aerial fireworks detonated at 12 :01 a.m. in an explosion that also injured dozens. At about 5 :59 a.m. Wednesday, the 30-year-old woman. She is the 'sixth death in this incident, ' according to Honolulu police, and has not been identified. The woman died the same day state on several proposals designed to help law enforcement combat the proliferation of illegal aerial fireworks. Gov. Josh Green proposes issuing $300 citations to those caught with illegal fireworks and felony charges for fireworks incidents that lead to injuries or death. House Bill 1005 and Senate Bill 1324 would make selling illegal fireworks that injure or kill someone a Class B felony with up to 10 years in prison and a $10, 000 fine. The bills also call for enhanced penalties and new legal language aimed at easing 'the standard of proof ' to allow citations and make enforcement easier. A bill before the state Senate, Senate Bill 999, would repeal 'all permissible uses of consumer fireworks ' and make conforming amendments to the Fireworks Control Law. The measure establishes $500 civil penalties for the 'use and sale of consumer fireworks, ' including nuisance abatement proceedings and forfeiture of assets used in the commission of the illegal use or sale of consumer fireworks. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. The bill would set up a Firework Forfeiture Special Fund to deposit 'asset forfeiture proceeds ' and to provide for community 'safety education ' programs that would ban all consumer fireworks by prohibiting their sale and use. State lawmakers banned all aerial fireworks in 2000, except for official public displays. The Honolulu City Council banned all fireworks except for firecrackers in 2011. On Friday afternoon, after they allegedly let their minor children set off illegal fireworks at the Aliamanu house party. A total of 10 people have now been arrested in connection with the deadliest fireworks explosion in Hawaii since April 7, 2011. In that incident, and two were injured after a fire ignited confiscated illegal aerial fireworks in an underground former military munitions bunker in Waikele. Demi Alyssa Mendoza, 31, and Dao Rin, 32, were arrested on suspicion of first-degree reckless endangerment, first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and three fireworks offenses. The couple allegedly allowed their 9-and 11-year-old children to play with illegal fireworks, according to Honolulu police. Michael Jr. Reyes Cabato, 29, and Aidalys Britanee P. Pe Benito, 28, the parents of a 1-year-old, were also arrested. Cabato was arrested on suspicion of endangering the welfare of a minor and three fireworks offenses, and the 28-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of endangering the welfare of a minor. None of the children of Friday were wounded in the deadly blast. A 'cake ' filled with about 50 individual cartridges of aerial fireworks fell on its side and shot into two crates of fireworks, setting off a large explosion at about 12 :01 a.m. Jan. 1 that was recorded by eyewitnesses and drones, shared online and broadcast on television. More arrests, charges and a joint investigation with federal law enforcement agencies into the source of the illegal fireworks are ongoing. The U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives would be among the federal agencies assisting HPD, police have said. Investigators seized more than 500 pounds of unexploded illegal fireworks from cars belonging to guests attending the party and in the carport of the home where the blast occurred at 4144 Keaka Drive. Four people arrested on Jan. 29 were released pending investigation.
