FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 30, 2020
Fireworks prove port security is failing residents
Pine urges state to act on audit
HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I — Deafening, house-shaking “bombs” and other illegal fireworks have rocked neighborhoods around the state of Hawai‘i for weeks, triggering veterans with PTSD and causing pets to run away from their homes in terror, often resulting in them getting hit by cars or otherwise injured.
“While a few people are setting off homemade ‘“bombs,” most of the illegal fireworks that shatter our peace and quiet are coming into our state through our ports,” said Honolulu City Councilmember Kym Pine. “Other outlawed items such as illegal drugs, invasive species and toxic substances that hurt our environment put us at high risk, but the solution lies in simply enforcing existing laws and with proper inspections,” she said.
Pine’s resolution urging state lawmakers to call for an audit of state harbor inspection procedures was unanimously approved by the Honolulu City Council on February 19. “Clearly, COVID-19 has required leaders’ focus for the health and safety of our residents, but illegal fireworks have plagued our communities for decades and pandemic-stressed people are crying out for relief,” said Pine.
“With only hours to go before New Year’s Eve fireworks, both legal and illegal, light up the sky, rattle windows and smoke up the air, I am hopeful that my former colleagues at the state Capitol will conduct an audit of inspections at state harbors and clamp down on importation of illegal products to Hawai‘i,” Pine said.
Resolution 20-16
http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-252563/RES20-016%2c%20CD1%20-%2002-04-20%20EMLA.pdf
Councilmember Kym Pine represents residents of District One (ʻEwa, ʻEwa Beach, Kapolei, Honokai Hale, Ko ʻOlina, Nānākuli, Mā‘ili, Wai‘anae, Mākaha, Kea‘au, Mākua) and is chair of the City Council’s Committee on Business Economic Development and Tourism.
Media Contact:
Erika Engle
Communications Director
erika [dot] engle honolulu [dot] gov
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