HONOLULU (KHON2) - Certain fireworks are one step closer to once again becoming legal in Honolulu.
The Honolulu City Council held its first public hearing on Wednesday on whether or not Oahu should bring back sparklers and fountains.
"I'm absolutely in support of this bill, because since the ban, we've seen the illegal aerials proliferated so much so that people are stopping on H1 to see the illegal aerials," said Natalie Iwasa, Hawaii Kai resident.
Councilmember Calvin Say introduced the bill after a friend suggested making certain ones legal.
"It would only be the sparklers and fountains, it's not the aerials," Say explained. "And he felt maybe we should have it sold in retail market or retailers have the license for buying it so that was the approach."
The hope of the bill is that it would help eliminate some of the illegal aerials.
"You're already seeing how terrible it is with all the other illegal activities going on, I think the industry and enforcement can help us out."
The bill has received a lot of support, but the Honolulu Fire Department remains steady in its opposition.
City Fire Prevention Bureau Chief J.C. Bisch testified saying the last time fireworks were legal was 2010. "And on New Year's Eve 2010 we had seven structure fires, and on New Year's Eve in 2011 we had 0 structure fires."
He said having more fireworks increases the risks of brush fires. "Something many communities are sensitive too after Lahaina," he said. "Every neighborhood board meeting we go to, the topic of wildfires comes up every time."
"The state law defines consumer fireworks as low level fountains and those types of devices, nothing over 12 feet," explained Tad Trout, TNT Fireworks who supports the measure.
Say added that he believes the Department of Law Enforcement's firework task force is doing a good job and will continue to help stop illegals from coming in.
"I truly feel the task force is working hard in trying to enforce at the piers," he said.
The bill now moves along to a third and final hearing.
We'll follow up and let you know if it passes.