Ban New Years fireworks?

[GeckoGeek]

Re: Ban New Years fireworks?

And I would add to that, the tragedy that occurred earlier this year in Waikele.

IIRC, the laws were already on the books. So I don't think it caused the laws to get passed, but it did help change the local mind-set to go along with those laws rather then "burn the evidence".

Frankly, I'm surprised that things didn't turn sooner when that woman died in a house fire from a skyrocket.

I think if more people had stuck with the legal stuff, there's a good chance the laws would not have been passed.

[Frankie's Market]

Re: Ban New Years fireworks?

I blame two groups: The folks with breathing difficulties and the black market.

And I would add to that, the tragedy that occurred earlier this year in Waikele.

In fact, let me repeat what I said in a post back then.

http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showpos...8&postcount=37

Setting aside the still-as-yet undetermined cause of what triggered the deadly explosion, the fact remains that the blast was generated by illegal fireworks seized by the authorities. AFAIAC, the blood of those 5 men are on the hands of the importers, distributors, sellers,... and yes, the customers of illegal fireworks.

I think the tragedy has bothered the conscience of many locals and has changed their attitudes re: illicit fireworks. The selfish arguments that fireworks proponents have used to defend their obnoxious behavior is something the greater public is less willing to tolerate as time marches on.

Nothing much for me to add to that than this:

Robert Kevin Freeman
Neil Sprankle
Bryan Cabalce
Justin Kelii
Robert Leahey

R.I.P.

[Ron Whitfield]

Re: Ban New Years fireworks?

Well thanks a lot foreigners from the US continent.

Illegal fireworks is what makes Hawaii so great? Who knew?!

But speaking as a white boy fer'ner, no need to thank us if indeed we're responsible, we're happy to have made this improvement anywhere. But you can always come out to Kaaawa where it's plenty noisy tonite and enjoy the continued greatness of stupidity.

[Leo Lakio]

Re: Ban New Years fireworks?

Yes, curse those asthmatic children and adults with emphysema! Can't they just suffer in silence while I shoot off my fireworks and have some fun??

Snork!!!

[Amati]

Re: Ban New Years fireworks?

I blame two groups: The folks with breathing difficulties and the black market.

Yes, curse those asthmatic children and adults with emphysema! Can't they just suffer in silence while I shoot off my fireworks and have some fun??

[GeckoGeek]

Re: Ban New Years fireworks?

I blame two groups: The folks with breathing difficulties and the black market.

The black market was out of control. From what I've heard the illegal stuff came in disguised as legal stuff. That's why things like sparklers have been banned.

[Leo Lakio]

Re: Ban New Years fireworks?

I don't recall fireworks being a particular tradition of the Kanaka Maoli. Didn't the tradition come over to Hawai`i with "foreign" workers, likely the Chinese (for scaring away evil spirits)? Fill me in, experts...and welcome to HT, Keoni Boy.

[Keoni Boy]

Re: Ban New Years fireworks?

This ban sucks. It will be the worst New Year's Eve ever. Hawaii is no longer Hawaii. It's turning into the mainland. Pretty soon, you won't even know you are in Hawaii anymore because the foreigners are trying to make us into the mainland. I don't know why those people even moved to Hawaii in the first place. They knew we had legal fireworks when they first came, so if they didn't like it, then why even move here? So lame. Well thanks a lot foreigners from the US continent. Thanks to you people, Hawaii will have many more drunk driving accidents because people will now go and drink at bars, clubs and hotels, rather than staying at home with friends and family. Foreigners just can't stand to have locals enjoy anything of our own because they feel left out like outsiders, so instead they just have to ban our own fun. Disgusting.

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Ban New Years fireworks?

Right. When its midnight on Jan. 1st here, it's 5 am on the east coast. Perfect start time for a high profile sporting event.

Okay then...Girls Gone Wild PPV Free just for that one night! Boobs or Bombs? Take your pick!

[Frankie's Market]

Re: Ban New Years fireworks?

I'm starting to wonder if fireworks is a guy thing. I see more guys spending the Kala to buy the biggest and baddest cache of pyrotechnics. If that's the case then one way to curb excessive fireworks is to have the playoffs or MMA events held on New Years Eve. We'll be glued to the tube instead of watching Bombs bursting in Air!

Right. When its midnight on Jan. 1st here, it's 5 am on the east coast. Perfect start time for a high profile sporting event.

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Ban New Years fireworks?

I'm starting to wonder if fireworks is a guy thing. I see more guys spending the Kala to buy the biggest and baddest cache of pyrotechnics. If that's the case then one way to curb excessive fireworks is to have the playoffs or MMA events held on New Years Eve. We'll be glued to the tube instead of watching Bombs bursting in Air!

[Ron Whitfield]

Re: Ban New Years fireworks?

Gotta say these now quiet days/nights and the smoke-free air during holidays is something that endears me more to Hawaii than ever. I don't miss that little noisy/polluting part of Hawaii.

[sophielynette]

Re: Ban New Years fireworks?

I have asthma. I love watching fireworks displays from a distance, but when I can't get away from all the smoke, it becomes a serious and possibly deadly situation for me.

I do have fond memories as a kid (pre asthma) setting off bottle rockets and mortars and the like. I also have memories of us doing very stupid things that could have caused injuries if we hadn't gotten lucky ("Hey, if we set it against this slope, wanna see if we can launch it over the road?"). And I know people-- not kids but "experienced" adults-- who have lost limbs and lives through fireworks mishaps.

[Zovo]

Re: Ban New Years fireworks?

I've always liked the fireworks, since I came here in '71. It's part of the distinctive character of Hawaii. In the 70s, when I lived in Kaimuki, after the New Years bang-bangs, the red-paper detritus was at least 5 inches high in the gutter in front of our house. Now, those were fireworks. All the complaints and new regulations since then have made life here more convenient, a day or two a year, but also made it less interesting. Now we're more like the mainland. Great.

First year I lived here, the NYE fireworks were really exciting and interesting. Just so much more enthusiasm here than on the mainland and it was kind of cool.

The first time I had to try and drive home on NYE from my in-laws place and couldn't see five feet in front of my car because of all the smoke hanging in the air. . . significantly less enthusiastic about that, far less cool.

That and seeing my wife have to wear a damned respirator in our living room because we have louvered windows and can't keep the smoke out. . . also not cool.

[GregLee]

Re: Ban New Years fireworks?

I've always liked the fireworks, since I came here in '71. It's part of the distinctive character of Hawaii. In the 70s, when I lived in Kaimuki, after the New Years bang-bangs, the red-paper detritus was at least 5 inches high in the gutter in front of our house. Now, those were fireworks. All the complaints and new regulations since then have made life here more convenient, a day or two a year, but also made it less interesting. Now we're more like the mainland. Great.