07-03-2025
Few fireworks bills survive halfway point in state legislative session
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Fireworks safety was a key part of state lawmakers' plans this session, but only a few bills are moving forward.
After the deadly New Year's explosion in Aliamanu, fireworks safety was at the top of everyone's minds, but just a few of the 13 state Senate fireworks bills are advancing to the House.
Hawaii legislature advances bills to combat illegal fireworks
Ewa Senator Kurt Favella's bills were aggressive — asking for searches at our ports for illegal fireworks to an outright ban on aerials. None of them made the cut.
'I'm not saying anything negative about my colleagues' bills, but if you wanna have more bite, ban outright ban, period, nothing comes in,' said Sen. Kurt Favella, (R) Ewa Beach-Iroquois Point.
Favella said he understands not everyone agrees with him and uncertainty in Washington, D.C. forced Hawaii lawmakers to adjust funding priorities.
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'We need to offset certain things,' said Favella. 'We worried about Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, medical, SNAP, that kind of stuff. I know the Governor and my colleagues are worried about those things that provide for our families.'
The Senate bills that did pass include funding the Illegal Fireworks Task Force and creating an illegal fireworks division under the Department of Law Enforcement.
DLE Director nominee Mike Lambert said in a statement that 'these bills ensure that state and county law enforcement agencies have the resources and laws to tackle this very important issue.'
Illegal fireworks turned in after Hawaii tragedy: 'It might happen to us'
Another bill — part of Governor Green's package — includes tougher penalties for fireworks offenses and introduces new laws for sending and distributing them.
In a statement, Honolulu Fire Chief Sheldon Hao said HFD is 'encouraged that some bills have advanced, bringing us closer to meaningful changes that will have a positive impact on public safety and the well-being of our communities.'
Even though his bills did not make it through this session, Senator Favella said his fight for public safety will continue and he plans to introduce his bills as resolutions, which means they won't be laws, but more like requests.
Favella added he plans to introduce similar proposals next session.'We don't want a memorial every time somebody dies, and then we gonna do something,' said Favella. 'I don't like that because every time get one accident and somebody dies, then we like put a light, put a crosswalk, we gotta be proactive instead of being reactive.'
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