Firecracker Permit
Frequently Asked Questions

It is unlawful for any person to possess, use, explode, or cause to explode any aerial device, articles pyrotechnic, display fireworks, or any of the following within the City: such as, but not limited to, snakes, sparklers, cylindrical or cone fountains, illuminating torches, bamboo cannons, whistles, toy smoke devices, wheels, ground spinners, novelty or trick items, combination items, paperless firecrackers, and other fireworks of like construction, that are designed to produce the same or similar effects.

The use of firecrackers is prohibited without a permit.

A person 18 years or older with a valid photo identification may purchase a firecracker permit.

An application for a firecracker permit may be completed at any time; however, the permit application shall be submitted no less than ten days prior to the date of the use of the firecrackers.

Paper permit applications will no longer be processed.  The Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) released an online permit system in June 2020.  Firecracker permits for Chinese New Year's Day, Fourth of July, and cultural uses, e.g., births, deaths, weddings, grand openings, blessings, anniversaries, and other cultural uses shall be picked up at the HFD Headquarters at 636 South Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, Monday-Friday, except on holidays, from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.

Firecracker permits for New Year's Eve shall be picked up at the following Satellite City Hall locations from December 17 to 31, except on weekends and holidays, with a valid photo identification.

The purchaser will be required to select one of the following Satellite City Hall locations during the purchasing process:

Ala Moana Satellite City Hall*
1450 Ala Moana Boulevard, #1286
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814

Kapolei Hale Satellite City Hall*
1000 Uluohia Street, #103
Kapolei, Hawaii 96707

Pearlridge Satellite City Hall*
98-1005 Moanalua Road, #244B
Aiea, Hawaii 96701

Windward City Satellite City Hall*
45-480 Kaneohe Bay Drive, Unit C06
Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744

*Due to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, locations may have altered hours.  Please visit Satellite City Halls for hours of operations prior to picking up your permit.  No appointment is needed to pick up a firecracker permit.

A minimum of five (5) business days is required to process the online application.  For example, a permit purchased on Monday will be available for pickup on next Monday.

Firecrackers may be purchased no more than five calendar days before the applicable time period designated on the permit and up to one hour before the end of the designated firing time.

The cost for each firecracker permit is $25 plus a $.59 service fee.  Multiple permits may be purchased at one time.  Permit and service fees are nonrefundable.

Purchases shall only be made online, and VISA, MasterCard, or Discover Card are the only acceptable forms of payment.

Each firecracker permit authorizes the purchase of up to 5,000 individual firecrackers.  The TAU conversion chart below provides an approximation and may vary by manufacturer.

25,000 TAU = 5,000 individual firecrackers
20,000 TAU = 4,582 individual firecrackers
10,000 TAU = 2,492 individual firecrackers
5,000 TAU = 1,388 individual firecrackers

The permit allows firecrackers to be used from:

9 p.m. New Year's Eve to 1 a.m. on New Year's Day

7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Chinese New Year's Day

1 to 9 p.m. on Fourth of July

A permit for cultural use allows firecracker use from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the day of the requested use.

• The permit fee is nonrefundable.

• An approved permit does not guarantee firecrackers will be available for purchase.

• Permits are nontransferable and may only be issued to a person 18 years old or older.

• Only the permittee shall be allowed to purchase firecrackers from a licensed vendor.

• Permits are valid only at the site and time and on the date indicated on the permit.  The permit shall be available for inspection at the location where the firecrackers are to be used.

• Permits may be revoked, denied, or suspended if use is not in compliance with the Fire Code of the City and County of Honolulu; the Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 132D; and the Revised Ordinance of Honolulu 1990, Chapter 20.

For more information, please contact the HFD's Fireworks Inspector at 723-7174.