Definitions for Fireworks Rules

Whenever used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires: “Aerial device” means any fireworks: (1) Containing one hundred thirty milligrams or less of explosive materials that produces an audible or visible effect and is designed to rise higher than twelve feet into the air and explode or detonate in the air, or to fly about above the ground; (2) That are prohibited for use by any person who does not have a display permit issued by the County under section 132D-16, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes; and (3) Including firework items commonly known as bottle rockets, sky rockets, missile-type rockets, helicopters, torpedoes, daygo bombs, roman candles, flying pigs, jumping jacks that move about the ground farther than a circle with a radius of twelve feet as measured from the point where the item was placed and ignited, aerial shells, and mines. “Articles pyrotechnic” means pyrotechnic devices for professional use similar to consumer fireworks in chemical composition and construction but not intended for consumer use that meet the weight limits for consumer fireworks but are not labeled as such, and that are classified as UN0431 or UN0432 by the United States Department of Transportation. “Consumer fireworks” means any fireworks designed primarily for retail sale to the public during authorized dates and times, that produces visible or audible effects by combustion, and that is designed to remain on or near the ground and, while stationary or spinning rapidly on or near the ground, emits smoke, a shower of colored sparks, whistling effects, flitter sparks, or balls of colored sparks, and includes combination items that contain one or more of these effects. “Consumer fireworks” shall comply with the construction, chemical composition, and labeling regulations of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission as set forth in Title 16 Code of Federal Regulations and fireworks classified as UN0336 and UN0337 by the United States Department of Transportation as set forth in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations. “Consumer fireworks” include firework items commonly known as: firecrackers; snakes; sparklers; fountains; and cylindrical or cone fountains that emit effects up to a height SUPP. 20 (7-2026) 17-4 FIRE § 17-2-2 not greater than twelve feet above the ground; illuminating torches; bamboo cannons; whistles; toy smoke devices; wheels; and ground spinners that when ignited remain within a circle with a radius of twelve feet as measured from the point where the item was placed and ignited; novelty or trick items; combination items; and other fireworks of like construction that are designed to produce the same or similar effects. “County building code” means chapters 5, 5A, 5B, and 5C of this Code. “County fire code” means chapter 17, article 1, of this Code. “Cultural” means relating to the arts, customs, traditions, mores, and history of all of the various ethnic groups of Hawai‘i. “Department” means the Hawai‘i fire department. “Display” means the use of aerial devices, display fireworks, or articles pyrotechnic for any activity, including such activities as movie or television production. “Display fireworks” means any fireworks designed primarily for exhibition display by producing visible or audible effects and classified as display fireworks or contained in the regulations of the United States Department of Transportation and designated as UN0333, UN0334, or UN0335, and includes salutes containing more than two grains (one hundred and thirty milligrams) of explosive materials, aerial shells containing more than forty-grams of pyrotechnic compositions, and other display pieces which exceed the limits of explosive materials for classification as “consumer fireworks.” This term also includes fused set pieces containing components, which together exceed fifty milligrams of salute power. “Fire chief” means the chief of the Hawai‘i fire department or the chief’s duly authorized representative. “Firecrackers” mean single paper cylinders not exceeding one and one-half inches in length excluding the fuse and one-quarter of an inch in diameter that contain a charge of not more than fifty milligrams of pyrotechnic composition. “Fireworks” means any combustible or explosive composition, or any substance or combination of substances, or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation and that meets the definition of aerial device or consumer or display fireworks as defined by this section and contained in the regulations of the United States Department of Transportation as set forth in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations. The term “fireworks” shall not include any explosives or pyrotechnics regulated under chapter 396, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, or automotive safety flares, nor shall the term be construed to include toy pistols, toy cannons, toy guns, party poppers, pop-its, or other devices which contain twenty-five hundredths of a grain or less of explosive substance. 17-5 SUPP. 20 (7-2026) “Import” (and any nounal, verbal, adjectival, adverbial, and other equivalent form of the term used interchangeably in this article) means to bring or attempt to bring fireworks or articles pyrotechnic into the County or to cause fireworks or articles pyrotechnic to be brought into the County. “License” means a nontransferable, formal authorization, valid for a period from April 1 of the year in which the license was issued to March 31 of the following year and which the department is hereby authorized to issue under chapter 132D, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, to engage in the act or acts specifically designated therein. “Movie” or “television production” means a series of activities that are directly related to the creation of visual and cinematic imagery to be delivered via film, videotape, or digital media and are to be sold, distributed, or displayed as entertainment or the advertisement of products for mass public consumption, including scripting, casting, set design and construction, transportation, videography, photography, sound recording, interactive game design, and post production. “Permanent” means the state of one object being affixed to another object by glue or other means in a manner that the affixed object is intended to not be easily removable. “Permanent fireworks storage building or structure” means a building or structure affixed to a foundation on a site and having fixed utility connections, which is intended to remain on the site for more than one hundred eighty consecutive calendar days in a twelve-month period for the purpose of receiving, storing, or shipping fireworks, but in which no manufacturing of fireworks is performed. “Permit” means a nontransferable, formal authorization, valid for a period not to exceed one calendar year from the date of issuance and which the department is authorized to issue under chapter 132D, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, to engage in the act or acts specifically designated therein. “Pyrotechnic composition” or “pyrotechnic contents” means the combustible or explosive component of fireworks. “Red flag warning” means a weather forecast issued by the National Weather Service indicating that weather conditions associated with the outbreak of wildfire may occur. “Redistribution” means the receiving, separating, consolidating or delivery of fireworks to wholesale, retail, or storage locations. “Shipper” means an entity or person, including a freight forwarder, that is hired for the transport of aerial devices, articles pyrotechnic, consumer fireworks, display fireworks, or fireworks. “State Fire Code” means the current State Fire Code as adopted by the State of Hawai‘i pursuant to chapter 132, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes. “Store” means to have or keep in reserve for future distribution or delivery. “Temporary fireworks storage building or structure” means a building or structure that is used for fireworks storage for one hundred eighty days or less in a twelve-month period. “Unit” means one individual firecracker. (2016, ord 16-107, sec 3; am 2023, ord 23-8, sec 2.) 17-2-2 SUPP. 20 (7-2026) 17-6 FIRE § 17-2-3