Vendors Report Brisk Fireworks Sales
Fireworks Permits Inch Higher Than Last Year
POSTED: 5:00 pm HST December 29, 2009
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HONOLULU -- Despite a gloomy economy the sales of fireworks permits are up slightly compared to the same time last year.While the number of permits purchased is up, it is still down considerably compared to previous years. As of the close of business on Monday a total of 5,362 firework permits were sold. That is about 150 more than at the same time as 2008.Fireworks Permits Purchased Through Dec. 28:
2007: 7,964
2006: 9,232
2005: 10,315
2004: 10,339
Fireworks still mean big business for vendors and stores. At Golden Dragon on Kapiolani Boulevard, customers were loading up on fireworks.Many consumers arrived armed with their permits ready to bring in the New Year with a bang."A lot of people have seem to be aware of the permits," vendor Philip Baxter said. "You buy a permit for $25 and it's good for 5,000 fireworks for each permit."Permits can be purchased at any satellite city hall, but you must be 18-years or older to get one. Setting off fireworks is allowed between the hours of 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve until 1 a.m. New Year's Day.Paul Chong plans to set off 2010 with a big boom. He traditionally rings in the New Year with loads of fireworks. He joined other fireworks fanatics at Golden Dragon on Tuesday.For Clifford Tom and his son, Matthew, fireworks are a serious business. The Golden Dragon was the fourth stop on their mission for explosives."It is once in a year even and this only time when I can really go crazy," Tom said.The father and son team first researched the newspapers for the best deals."I come from a family of pyrotechnics," Tom said. "We do celebrate pretty extensively."The Tom's New Year's celebration is a cultural tradition, an expensive one, with more spending on fireworks than Christmas presents."We spend a lot of money," he said. "A little bit too much. I don't want to say a dollar value, but a little bit too much."So why would Clifford Tom support stricter fireworks regulations? Even an all out ban?"I am concerned about the smoke level. We do actually have asthma ourselves," Tom said. "We actually wear masks."The Toms said that if fireworks were ever banned, they would leave it to the professional displays.
2007: 7,964
2006: 9,232
2005: 10,315
2004: 10,339
Fireworks still mean big business for vendors and stores. At Golden Dragon on Kapiolani Boulevard, customers were loading up on fireworks.Many consumers arrived armed with their permits ready to bring in the New Year with a bang."A lot of people have seem to be aware of the permits," vendor Philip Baxter said. "You buy a permit for $25 and it's good for 5,000 fireworks for each permit."Permits can be purchased at any satellite city hall, but you must be 18-years or older to get one. Setting off fireworks is allowed between the hours of 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve until 1 a.m. New Year's Day.Paul Chong plans to set off 2010 with a big boom. He traditionally rings in the New Year with loads of fireworks. He joined other fireworks fanatics at Golden Dragon on Tuesday.For Clifford Tom and his son, Matthew, fireworks are a serious business. The Golden Dragon was the fourth stop on their mission for explosives."It is once in a year even and this only time when I can really go crazy," Tom said.The father and son team first researched the newspapers for the best deals."I come from a family of pyrotechnics," Tom said. "We do celebrate pretty extensively."The Tom's New Year's celebration is a cultural tradition, an expensive one, with more spending on fireworks than Christmas presents."We spend a lot of money," he said. "A little bit too much. I don't want to say a dollar value, but a little bit too much."So why would Clifford Tom support stricter fireworks regulations? Even an all out ban?"I am concerned about the smoke level. We do actually have asthma ourselves," Tom said. "We actually wear masks."The Toms said that if fireworks were ever banned, they would leave it to the professional displays.
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