Hawaii County, HI Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit fee
- $25 per 5,000 firecrackers
- July 4 window
- 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- New Year window
- 9 p.m. NYE to 1 a.m.
- Sky lanterns
- Banned island-wide
- Setback
- 1,000 ft from hospitals/churches
Summary
Hawai'i is restrictive: consumer fireworks (firecrackers) are legal only with a $25 County Fire Department permit and only during narrow New Year's, Chinese New Year, and July 4 windows. Aerial fireworks and sky lanterns are banned for the public.
Consumer fireworks may be set off... within the State only: (1) From 9:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve to 1:00 a.m. on New Year's Day; from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Chinese New Year's Day; and from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the Fourth of July.
Full Breakdown
Under HRS 132D-4, consumer fireworks may be set off only from 9 p.m. New Year's Eve to 1 a.m. New Year's Day, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Chinese New Year, and 1 p.m.-9 p.m. on the Fourth of July. Each $25 firecracker permit from the Hawai'i Fire Department allows purchase of up to 5,000 individual firecrackers and is issued only to adults 18+. Aerial luminary devices (sky lanterns), bottle rockets, Roman candles, cakes, mortars, and shells are unlawful for consumer use. Fireworks may not be discharged within 1,000 feet of a hospital, care home, zoo, animal shelter, or church during services, or on any public street, sidewalk, or park.
Violations & Fines
Setting off fireworks without a permit, outside the legal windows, or using banned aerial devices is a misdemeanor; illegal aerials and sky lanterns carry the steepest penalties. Contact Fire Prevention: Hilo 808-932-2911, Kona 808-323-4760.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy aerial fireworks like the mainland?
Where do I get a fireworks permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hawaii County
How Hawaii County compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Hawaii County to another location·View the Hawaii fire regulations overview
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