From Micheal Kitchens on StolenStuffHawaii FB page. Sharing with permission:
TLDR: Fireworks posts are gonna happen. Understand the reasons why people have issues and respect each other's opinions on the matter. Don't be an ass. Read the House Rules.
Listen people...I know many of you love your fireworks. I understand it's a tradition and it has been around for a long time. I want to make some points here so that you can take your angst out against me instead of people who are posting out of frustration and making them feel worse. It's clear that "some" of you don't appreciate the enormity of the problem so if you want to argue with someone, argue with me.
There are a couple of things I see repeated which are straight out fallacies. These same comments are used over and over trying to justify or "win" the discussion and they're mistaken and in many cases, flat out wrong.
#1. When people say stuff like "Haoles are the reason fireworks are banned."
- This is one of the stupidest things I hear said about this entire topic and it's a sure-fire way to get yourself removed from the group. Never mind, the typical inclusion of the term “haole”, the sentiment is rude and objectively false. It’s a pretty asinine statement, and if you’re using this as a defense, I think you need to rethink it.
First of all, factually, it's incorrect. The Honolulu City Council voted the ban on fireworks with a Vote of 7-2. Bill 34 was introduced by Councilmember Gary Okino in June 2010 and supported by Public Safety Chairman Lee Donohue. Voting against the bill was Councilmember Rod Tam & Councilmember Romy Cachola. Councilmembers Anderson, Apo, Dela Cruz, Donohue, Garcia, Kobayashi, and Okino all voted for the ban.
Okino, Anderson, Apo, Dela Cruz, Garcia, Kobayashi, & Donohue are all Hawaii-born residents. Over the period of several months about 70+ people provided testimony on Bill 34, and the majority of these were in support of the ban. Out of those that testified, one look at the testimony will reveal that the majority of those in support are also long time residents of the island. Go take a look at the testimony if you don’t believe me.
Second of all, what’s also quite revealing is that even though there is always a generous amount of outrage when this topic comes up…how many of you actually did anything to even stop it? The problem with the ban is inaction. The inaction taken by so many of you to voice your opinions is what killed fireworks on this island, and in some partial way, it’s most likely a cause of the illegal crap that is such a problem.
70+ people took the time to actually comment on the bill. SEVENTY. Out of an island of about a million? Seriously, more people should have stood up and said something.
#2. Fireworks is a tradition here. Go back to the mainland if you don’t like it!
- I’m not sure where the notion that “mainlanders” don’t like fireworks come from. I can only guess that it comes from ignorance/inexperience with the subject or a lack of a world view from being stuck on an island all your life. The fact is that fireworks are BIG BUSINESS on the mainland.
Ever heard of TNT Fireworks? They’re the largest network of fireworks stands in the nation. In Texas, every couple of miles there is a fireworks stand. I grew up blowing up fireworks and if anything, the fireworks you see here are absolutely nothing in comparison to the huge variety of crap that gets blown up on the mainland. Take one look at a fireworks stand map for Texas and you’ll see that they’re everywhere. All over the state. Realize it or not, fireworks are not a Hawaii-tradition…it’s an American tradition and it’s celebrated throughout the country.
#3. Just lock your animals up! Wear headphones if it bothers you! It doesn’t bother my dogs...and other similar statements.
- The issue I have with these types of statements is that people are severely underestimating the problem. If you don’t think that it’s a serious situation, take one moment to do a search on the term “fireworks” in Stolen Stuff Hawaii. You will find an inordinate amount of posts related to animals that have been terrorized, gotten out, or gone missing due to fireworks. Post after post shows that this is a truly traumatic event for some animals and they go berserk because of it. Every holiday season, we have to deal with this.
That’s not even considering the public’s health such as those suffering from PTSD, COPD, asthma, and other detrimental health effects.
As much as you may love your fireworks traditions, you have to respect the fact that it IS a serious health crisis that affects many animals and people negatively. And that these animals and people have absolutely zero control over it…which is quite scary when you think about it sensibly.
Which leads me to my next point…
#4. The problem is NOT fireworks per se. It is the random explosions going off every day in the months leading up to the actual holiday.
- Fireworks aren’t the issue for many. I have seen it posted time and time again that people love fireworks. What they can’t handle is not being able to account for them. You cannot sedate an animal for an entire month. You can’t wear ear muffs every hour of the day and lock yourself in an air-conditioned room. It’s ludicrous to even contemplate that.
The issue is that so many people are popping off huge, illegal, PROFESSIONAL grade fireworks at all hours of the night and day at random occurrences. This is the primary issue for many people and their cause for alarm.
I absolutely love fireworks and I'm as upset about the ban as much as anyone here. I wish my kids could experience the joy of waving a sparkler like I did when I was young. But illegal is illegal, and some of the fireworks out there are huge and loud. They’re awesome from a certain standpoint from those of us who love them. I certainly enjoy seeing them pop off at night, and I can appreciate them just as well as anybody. But I don’t have animals that are terrorized by them, and my kids are finally old enough to not be scared by them.
There were moments when I lived in Kalihi that a neighbor two houses down set of acetylene bombs every night for weeks when my son was only a baby. He was absolutely traumatized by it…and this was usually around 1 in the morning when all of us were trying to sleep on a weekday like a Tuesday. As a parent, I was absolutely livid. Try understand just why people are so upset, and maybe you’ll have a bit more empathy.
It is perfectly fine to love fireworks. To enjoy them as a tradition with your family and friends. But irresponsible use of them is causing severe harm to our community. No matter what your stance, in this group, you need to be understanding of people’s grievances with them. I’m not going to kick you for speaking your mind…as always, I respect that…but you need to make sure you do so without getting in member’s faces and making them a target. I will kick you if you even go there.
Fireworks is a common topic here…these posts are going to happen. I expect everyone to treat each other respect no matter what your opinion is on them. SSH is a support group primarily…we have expanded on our original mission. Remember?
For the record, I think the ban is the reason why we have so many illegals. And that the laws basically tie the hands of our law enforcement. We never needed another law. We need to enforce the laws we have. And we need to give our law enforcement the tools and the ability to do so.
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