HONOLULU -- Even though aerials seemed to be everywhere on New Year's Eve over Oahu, the Honolulu Police Department said it did not arrest or ticket anyone for using the illegal fireworks. However, HPD officials said the department is doing the best it can to crack down on illegal fireworks.

Police officers responded to more than 1,300 fireworks complaints between the day after Christmas and New Year's Day, HPD said. That is a 13 percent drop from last year.

HPD said it is too difficult to bust those using illegal aerial pyrotechnics.

"It's just difficult to conduct an investigation because by the time we get there, everybody's pretty much gone from the area," Maj. Clayton Kau said.

Police ticketed five adults and nine juveniles for setting off fireworks in banned areas such as streets, parks and beaches. That is a decrease from last year, when officers cited 23 people.

"It has to be an 'on-view' observation. The officer drives into the area, sees the individual lighting it or tossing it out," Kau said.

HPD can also rely on complainants in fireworks cases, but Kau said that is tough as well.

"People that we speak to either don't see them or they don't want to say who the individual is because it's probably their neighbors or people that they know. So, they won't say exactly or identify these people to us," Kau said.

Regular patrol officers handle fireworks enforcement, and HPD does not have any special units to enforce fireworks violations.

"There's so much of this going on, it's difficult for us to be in everyplace at one time," Kau said.

HPD arrested two men this week, charging them with selling illegal fireworks and confiscating nearly 3,000 pounds of pyrotechnics worth about $60,000.

The police department has consistently joined the fire department in calling for a total ban on fireworks, but lawmakers have refused.