HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green, M.D., signed new fireworks legislation on Monday, June 30, at 12:45 p.m. in the Ceremonial Room at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol. The bills target illegal fireworks with tougher penalties, stricter rules and expanded law enforcement tools.
Green will be joined by Senator Brandon Elefante, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, and Representative Scot Matayoshi, chair of the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. Also attending will be Mike Lambert, director of the Department of Law Enforcement.
The new laws follow a deadly New Year’s Eve explosion in 2024 and increasing complaints statewide.
According to the Governor’s Office, the bills aim to improve air quality, protect vulnerable residents and relieve overwhelmed emergency services.
In speaking with Sam Spangler on KHON2’s Wake Up 2Day, Gov. Green said the following:
“It’s very good. So, as you know, I’m signing all of these laws that they produced, which, will make things a lot safer. We’re now gonna be able to just apply fines to people who are shooting off illegal fireworks. It’s gonna be a lot easier to, you know, toss in $300 fines; and I hope everyone will be careful and safe because as an ER doc, I treated a lot of burns. As governor, I witnessed this tragedy that happened on New Year’s Eve that cost us the lives of six beautiful people. So, everyone needs to tone it down with fireworks; and there will be fines for people who break the law.”
Governor Josh Green, M.D.
Here’s what we know about the bills:
HB 1483 Relating to Fireworks
HB 1483 introduces sweeping changes to Hawaiʻi’s fireworks laws in response to public health concerns and a deadly 2024 New Year’s Eve explosion. The bill upgrades penalties, adds criminal classifications and creates a fast-track adjudication process.
Key provisions include:
- Using or throwing fireworks near homes, schools, hospitals, parks or places of worship is now a misdemeanor. If serious injury occurs, the charge may rise to a Class A felony. Strict liability applies in these zones. This means intent does not need to be proven.
- Shipping fireworks by air without a federal license is now a Class C felony. That charge rises to Class A if the shipment exceeds 25 pounds or involves repeat offenses.
- Selling or gifting fireworks to anyone without a permit is now a felony-level offense. Serious injury or death triggers stricter penalties regardless of intent.
- Use of fireworks without a permit, or outside legal timeframes, is now punishable with fines. A $200 fine applies for use violations, and a $1,000 fine applies for distributing fireworks outside of legal sale periods.
All infractions under this section may be processed similarly to traffic tickets. Individuals cited under this law cannot use lack of awareness as a defense.
You can click here to read more about it.
HB 550 Relating to Fireworks
HB 550 strengthens law enforcement’s ability to catch and prosecute fireworks violations. It updates probable cause standards and allows the use of drone footage and civilian video recordings.
The law permits police to arrest violators based on:
- Eyewitness statements from the public.
- Phone or security camera video.
- Drone video, even without live witnesses.
Drone recordings must meet two conditions. The drone must fly over public property, like streets or parks, and the illegal fireworks must be set off on public land.
Civilian-recorded evidence is now admissible, and the law defines “other recording” to include drone footage. UAVs are defined as aircraft without an onboard operator but do not include hobbyist model airplanes.
Enforcement authority is shared between county police departments and the state’s Department of Law Enforcement.
The Governor said they have support from federal agencies to enforce these laws as needed.
The DLE said they have 10 drones that they plan to use starting July Fourth and with the higher fines under the new law, give them stronger deterrence power. They warn that all investigations will include a money laundering investigation attached to it.
“Guys that are bringing it (illegal fireworks) in don’t cry and moan ‘oh, I’m just trying to make a living here in Hawaii. because you’re doing it at the expense of our community. So I’m telling you guys right now that I already have a list of names and if you guys want to continue doing what you’re doing, you’re going to find out if you’re on it or not,” said DLE Director Mike Lambert.
You can click here to read more about it.
SB 601 Relating to Law Enforcement
SB 601 addresses how police conduct searches of private property and digital devices. It creates new requirements for notifying property owners and securing searched areas.
The law mandates that officers must leave a written notice after any search, whether or not it was conducted with a warrant. The notice must include:
- Report number.
- Date and time of entry.
- Reason for the search.
- Contact information for an involved officer.
Entrances used during the search must be secured before officers leave. All law enforcement agencies must create clear written procedures for post-search actions. This includes county departments and the state’s Department of Law Enforcement.
If officers break down doors or gates, they must now meet defined legal standards. Entry must be denied or impractical, and there must be reason to believe evidence is hidden inside.
The bill also covers digital evidence. When a search warrant involves electronic devices, officers may seek court approval to bring in outside experts. Experts cannot be forced to help without their consent.
You can click here to read more about it.
Three bills, one coordinated effort
HB 1483, HB 550 and SB 601 each address a different part of public safety. Together, they increase penalties for illegal fireworks, allow more ways to collect evidence and require transparency during property searches.
Still, some in the community are concerned the new laws are overreaching and not impactful.
“The fact is that those people were already being irresponsible and reckless, and there’s already consequences for what they did, regardless of whether fireworks are allowed or disallowed,” said Abbra Green, Libertarian Party of Hawaii Executive Secretary.
The Governor acknowledged changing the public’s mindset about illegal fireworks comes over time.
“It takes a little bit of time. people have to have the experience. the reason we’re being so direct and stern right now is we’re giving everyone a chance just not to do it,” said Governor Green.
These new laws will go into effect following the governor’s signing,
