Hawaii only has two illegal fireworks investigators
Jan 07, 2025
HONOLULU (KHON2) -- State officials have released information on an upcoming illegal fireworks amnesty program.
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Officials from the State Department of Law Enforcement, Attorney General's Office, Honolulu police and more will team up on Saturday, Jan. 11 at Aloha Stadium for an illegal fireworks amnesty event.
"So, no questions asked," said DLE director Jordan Lowe. "Just have the device or the fireworks in the trunk of your vehicle or in the flatbed of your truck. Drive up, follow the instructions of the officers and we will retrieve the fireworks for you."
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The event on Saturday is not the first of its kind.
"We had one in 2023, which we recovered approximately 500 pounds pounds of fireworks," Lowe said.
Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Donovan Dela Cruz said different tactics may be needed to stop illegal fireworks from coming in through Hawaii ports.
"Because of threats, your tips have basically diminished," Dela Cruz said. "Now, you don't have the same amount of information that you used to have?"
"That's correct," Lowe said. "We will need another technology solution to do that."
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Some other potential solutions include funding a DLE forensic lab to test confiscated explosive material, large-scale X-Ray or particle scanners for ports and creating new task force positions.
"Please understand our current illegal fireworks task force really consists of two investigators," Lowe said.
Lawmakers also pressed Lowe about shipping.
"To what extent are the heads of the shipping companies participating and working with your law enforcement team to be able to crack down on this kind of activity," Sen. Carol Fukunaga asked Lowe.
"I think the best way to answer that question is we will use all investigative strategies to interdict," Lowe said.
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The DLE also presented budget requests to the State Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Those requests will go through a lengthy review process before they could be approved.