Happy 2024 everybody!
I can't believe how quickly 2023 flew by.
Although the Hawaii government has tried to crack down on illegal fireworks, they are still getting through. I can't even imagine who they're buying it from because I certainly don't see any being sold anywhere.
Since 2011, aerial fireworks, fountains, sparklers and other consumer fireworks have been illegal.
I got this from Spectrum News:
"Last year, a 28-year-old Wahiawa man died after fireworks exploded in his face, a 20-year-old Hawaii Island man died from injuries sustained while holding a firework launcher that went off above his head, and a 35-year-old Hawaii Island man died while making homemade fireworks."
However, despite the law and despite the awful news every year of someone dying, being blinded or disfigured by fireworks, it keeps happening. In fact, according to Hawaii News Now:
Officials say approximately 16 tons of illegal fireworks were seized, with nearly all of the fireworks being multi-shot “cakes” or launchers capable of firing multiple fireworks into the air in long consecutive strings of fire.
But yes, we did still stay up to see them from our window.
Ah well...
Here's wishing 2024 will bring peace and some good news because gosh... we need it.
POSTSCRIPT:
I just woke up. Here are some photos from last night. It was absolute madness!
The smoke from the fireworks must have been horrible for anyone with respiratory problems. I was worried someone's house could catch fire.
Friends and relatives around the island tell me they had to sedate their dogs and close their windows to keep out the smoke too.
Unbelievable!
Normally, I would chalk down things like that to Darwinism at its best. But knowing how dry your state is and the disaster last year, it really isn't a joking matter.
ReplyDeleteI guess thanks to the cold weather, fireworks on New Year's Eve/Day really isn't a thing here.
lol Here we are in Melbourne thinking about going to bed (10pm Jan 1st) and it’s just turned 1am in Honolulu. Happy New Year to you Kay and all you love.
ReplyDeletePrivate sale of fireworks is banned here also - only large displays allowed but that didn’t stop the local people who let off the few I heard last night. I suppose they had ways and means of getting what they wanted
So, those are legal, public fireworks that you watch? I guess that is just about the same here.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year 🎇
Kay of Musings: No, all aerial fireworks are illegal AND it was horrendous last night. It was the worst we’ve ever seen bordering on scary.
DeleteWe had lots of booms and fireworks around here last year. I also don't know where they get them, but somebody sure likes pyrotechnics! Must be some guys, I don't think women care for them as much.
ReplyDeleteI loathe fireworks!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
I am not one for fireworks and have to say it was quieter around here than last year. Happy New Year to you all Kay!
ReplyDeleteI have always hated fireworks, that sense of danger.
ReplyDeleteAnd Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI've never like fireworks. They're dangerous and scare me. Luckily we didn't actually hear any last night. One of our neighbors usually does shoot them off... and I'm always afraid of a roof catching fire. And my daughter worries about her horses when their neighbors use fireworks. The horses get upset.
ReplyDeleteWe have legal fireworks shows but I would rather watch them on TV than in person. Crowds and smoke aren't my things! That's scary that they're still lighting them off in spite of the law and the danger of fire. :(
ReplyDeleteIt was a tad quieter in Kaimuki - not as many bombs going off - though some neighbor had a constant supply of fireworks. Midnight was crazy with those long (legal) strings of firecrackers. And then, it all stopped. Usually they would go on until 1:00 am, but they all stopped. Our family dog passed away earlier in 2023 and the "baby" grandson is now 3 and went out to a party with his parents.
ReplyDeleteI made the simplest ozoni this morning, of which I am not proud. Boiled up some Costco chicken bones for broth, threw in a few pieces of ginger, and just boiled up some mochi and added it to the broth with mizuna. Since moving my kitchen downstairs, I didn't have my dried scallops or hondashi. Ah well. January 2nd is still my favorite day of the year. All the have-to-dos are done.
I've never understood the thrill of doing fireworks. Now watching fireworks done by the city, etc was fun when I was a kid. With the right people, I would enjoy them again.
ReplyDeleteFireworks were illegal in Georgia until about ten years ago. However, people would cross state lines to purchase them which would be very difficult in Hawaii. I can't imagine being able to bring explosives in a suitcase on a plane. I guess people are using what they have up? I was surprised to find fireworks in my brother's house. He did not like how dangerous they could be.
I'm always glad the next day when all of that is over, Kay. I'm wishing you and yours a wonderful year ahead. Tell me about your anti-vertigo exercises some time! Aloha
ReplyDeleteWow, those made a huge mess of the sky.
ReplyDeleteThose are some spectacular displays for amateurs! We heard a few booms but that was all.
ReplyDeleteWe have public fireworks from the Space Needle, which we watch on TV. There was quite a bit of booming in the neighborhood though. I think they were mostly aerial bombs. Hard on the pets.
ReplyDeleteThat is simply unbelievable. I wonder how big an accident will cause their demise.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and I hope your year is filled with blessings
ReplyDeleteI'll say it's unbelievable. It takes a tremendous amount of fireworks to make that much smoke.
ReplyDeleteGosh, and I thought it might be slowing down in Hawaii. I heard one at 9:30p and none after, but there's an advantage to taking off my cochlear implant device and hearing aid. You might need official ear plugs for your fireworks. We try to have asphalt shingles instead of wooden roof shingles to lessen the chance of fires from fireworks. Hope you can get some rest now. You'll need one of your masks to go outside! Hope we can all have a better year, and we get that extra day in February for Leap Year. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThis was the first year that we did not hear fireworks. Not any!
ReplyDeletefireworks are legal here, but only to towns for big displays. i may be incorrect about that, i think homeowners can get them now, but only recently!! we stayed home this year but we do go down to the beach in the summer as different towns do have displays on certain days of the week, july 4th and labor day!!
ReplyDelete