HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii’s governor on Monday signed five bills cracking down on the rampant use of illegal fireworks in the islands after a massive explosion at a New Year’s party killed six people and severely burned more than a dozen others.
The new laws take effect immediately. Police will be authorized to issue $300 tickets to those who shoot off fireworks, while repeat offenders and those whose actions cause serious injury or death could get prison time for felony crimes.
“If (a) firework goes off and you have it illegally and you blow somebody up, honestly, you’re gonna go to jail for 20 years,” Gov. Josh Green said at a bill signing ceremony. “No joke. So don’t do it.”…