Honolulu County, HI Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Consumer fireworks
- Possession, use, or explosion banned citywide
- Aerial devices & display fireworks
- Also banned without a fire department license
- License expires
- March 31 every year, nontransferable
- Consumer-fireworks fine
- $200 to $1,000, up to 30 days jail
- Other violations fine
- $250 to $2,000, up to 1 year jail
- License revocation
- Court may bar relicensing for 2 years
Summary
ROH § 20-6.2 bans possessing, using, or exploding any consumer fireworks, aerial devices, articles pyrotechnic, or display fireworks anywhere in the City and County of Honolulu, and bans importing, storing, or selling fireworks, unless you hold a fire department license and permit under §§ 20-6.4, 20-6.12, or 20-6.13.
§ 20-6.2 Prohibitions—Permitted uses. Except as otherwise provided in this article: (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, use, explode, or cause to explode any consumer fireworks within the city; (2) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, use, explode, or cause to explode any aerial device, articles pyrotechnic, or display fireworks within the city; and (3) It shall be unlawful for any person to import, store, sell, keep or offer for sale, expose for sale any fireworks within the city. ... § 20-6.9 Penalty. (a) Any person violating § 20-6.2(1) shall be sentenced to a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (b) Any person violating this article, other than § 20-6.2(1) shall be sentenced to a fine of not less than $250 and not more than $2,000 or by imprisonment of not more than one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-10: Supplement 10, 12-2025 Ordinance No. 25-40 through Ordinance No. 25-56).
Full Breakdown
14) bans fireworks islandwide, with narrow licensed exceptions. 2 makes it unlawful for any person to possess, use, explode, or cause to explode any consumer fireworks; to possess, use, explode, or cause to explode any aerial device, articles pyrotechnic, or display fireworks; or to import, store, sell, keep, or offer or expose for sale any fireworks within the city. 13, plus flares and signals used by police, fire, utility, and transportation agencies in emergencies, and blank cartridges used for shows, theater, or sporting signals. Licenses are nontransferable and expire every March 31. 8 makes a parent or guardian who knowingly lets a minor possess or ignite fireworks liable for the same penalties as the minor. 11.
Violations & Fines
Section 20-6.9 sets two penalty tiers: violating the consumer-fireworks ban in § 20-6.2(1) draws a fine of $200 to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both; violating any other part of the article, including the aerial-device and display-fireworks ban, draws a fine of $250 to $2,000, up to one year in jail, or both. A court may also revoke a violator's fireworks license for at least two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are fireworks legal in Honolulu?
What's the penalty for setting off fireworks in Honolulu?
Can a parent be liable for a minor's fireworks?
Are any fireworks uses exempt from Honolulu's ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Honolulu County
How Honolulu County compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Honolulu County to another location·View the Hawaii fire regulations overview
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