HONOLULU (KHON2) — The state Department of Law Enforcement is getting serious about cracking down on illegal fireworks thanks to new legislation.
Illegal fireworks have exploded across Hawaii with little consequence for years, but resulted in tragedy in the first seconds of 2025 in Aliamanu. Newly passed legislation funds the DLE to the tune of $7.6 million to go after offenders.
“Where things will be different is these are new sets of tools that law enforcement can use and investigators can and also prosecution,” said Sen. Brandon Elefante.
Among those tools are the fact that the state illegal fireworks task force was extended — eight full time positions focused on enforcement were also funded.
“To be able to go after, basically repeat offenders and people violating our illegal fireworks laws that, really it’s about health and safety of our communities,” Sen. Elefante said.
“I think the beauty of this new law is that it gives our foot in the door to bigger investigations, because we may see the drone, the drone may fly over, we may see what is only going to be a civil violation. But when we go there to cite, we go out and see the illegal fireworks in open view, which may lead to a larger investigations,” said DLE Director Mike Lambert.
Lambert added that while the vast majority of illegal fireworks come through ports, some do come through the mail but he will focus on shipping container seizures during his tenure.
He said the public’s long standing frustration has fueled the push for results.
“The biggest thing that hurts public trust is, ‘How can it be this bad,’ Right? ‘How is it possible? Who is involved?’ And those are all of the things that in my new position, we’re going to find out,” Lambert said. “And if those people along the way are government workers then, well, you know, expect to be prosecuted.”
Four fireworks-related bills made it through the Legislature in 2025 and director Lambert said he expects Gov. Josh Green to sign them into law before the Fourth of July.