Honolulu council vote means sparklers, other novelty fireworks could be back this New Year’s Eve

VIDEO: The Honolulu City Council adopted several measures Wednesday, including one to reverse the 13-year-old ban on display fireworks. The measure would let people buy novelty fireworks, except for firecrackers, without a permit. This New Year’s Eve, sparklers and fountains could be making a comeback thanks to Bill 22 adopted by the City Council. “(It) is just the start to address the illegal aerials that we have but also make it compatible to allowing our residents of Oahu the opportunity of burning these type of consumer fireworks,” Honolulu City Council member Calvin Say said. The council voted almost unanimously in favor of relaxing the ban on novelty fireworks that had been in place since 2011, despite strong opposition from the Honolulu Fire Department. HFD Assistant Chief Craig Uchimura shared his testimony in the meeting.
KHON-TV FOX 2 Honolulu

Hawaii first responders head to Florida to help hurricane victims

VIDEO: In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and as thousands hunker down for Hurricane Milton, several first responders from Hawaii are headed to Florida to help victims. American Medical Response (AMR) announced Wednesday it deployed nine first responders from across Hawaii, in addition to two from Maui and another from Kauai who are already in Florida. The American Red Cross is also sending 25 volunteers from across the Pacific to provide aid. "After last year's call with our needs, so much that they came here to help us, this is really our chance to return that good will," American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region communications director Matthew Wells said. Wells emphasized that Red Cross volunteers are well-equipped to help the tens of thousands in shelters.
KITV ABC 4 Honolulu

Scorching Makaopuhi Fire on Kilauea forces closures

PHOTO: A scorching wildfire atop Kilauea has forced Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HNVP) to implement multiple closures. HVNP has shut down the Maunaulu parking lot and Napau Trail as teams work to extinguish the blaze. So far, the Makaopuhi Fire has burned 78 acres and is mainly charring pockets of uluhe fern and other vegetation in a remote area dried by recent volcanic activity. No homes are threatened, according to the National Park Service (NPS). Officials say flames ignited from the Sept. 15 eruption. NPS says the fire has grown due to a lack of rain, low humidity and wind. 22 members of the Pacific Islands Fire Management team are constructing a fire line to control the fire’s spreading perimeter. Firefighters are from both Hawaii Island and American Samoa. In addition to ground crews, helicopters are also making water drops.
Hawaii News Now