YES, THIS IS A RESIDENTIAL AREA, shot from the back yard. Neighbors and all of Hawaii going nuts. I can imagine the guys from the mainland who I've noticed moving into the local towns must be reacting to this. It really is something else. These explosions are loud folks.

Damn, Hawaii really is the fireworks capital of the world. There is a pyro in nearly every local born here. House shaking explosions go of every once in a while starting late November. We're talking display shells that normally would be reserved for professional use. Scares the heck out of you.

I thought about 7-8 years ago when no one needed permits to light fireworks was crazy. The smoke was so thick, I could barely see 10 feet in front of me... and we're talking residential here! But back then, it was mainly firecrackers. Now it's huge displays... and I'll be damn if the whole of my town (Waipahu) didn't have someone lighting one. They are loud like cannons... and they are still going off at 1:43AM here in Hawaii.

It was nuts all evening, but when the clock hit 12:00, ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE. Things calmed down when they required permits about 5 years ago. Now it's getting pretty nuts once again.

You really have to experience Hawaii at new years. It's not uncommon for someone to spend a couple thousand on fireworks. The next morning, the whole state smells of gunpowder.

 

WOW that looks siiiiick!!! Very nice shot
I still haven't figured out how to photograph fireworks

 

More fun facts:

1. People with asthma rent rooms in town (Waikiki) to get away from the smoke.

2. Those displays in the pic are actually illegal, but what can the cops do... and I'll be damned if they aren't lighting them too... LOL.

3. Locals eat Ahi (Yellow Fin, Bigeyed Tuna) Sashimi (raw fish) at New Years. It's the new tradition. I used to work at Taniokas, a Fish/Poke store, and prices near New Year went up to $40/lb! And this was over 15 years ago.

 

Wow, crazy. Amazing shot.

 

Beautiful pic!! I'd def. have to rent a room....

 

Sounds fun!

 

very nice piccc

 

Thats cool as hell, would love to see that

 

man Erwin if you think Waipahu is crazy you should see the nuts in Kaneohe.

 

That is a beautiful shot!

 

very cool shot, not your typical fireworks shot

 

Spent $70 on Ahi at Tamashiro's for me and the wife. I usually head to my friend's house in Village Park, but had to stay in because my daughter doesn't like fireworks right now. I could see everything from PC, Waipahu, Makakilo and Ewa from my room. Crazy stuff.

Great shot, Erwin. Good thing we got some decent winds. I was a bit worried with the news report.

 

Thanks for the comments guys.

Jamie, I'm sure Kaneohe was nuts. But I think this whole island is just going overboard. Alot of people can get hurt if one of those shells misfire.

Stu, where you at that you can see all that? Makiki towers maybe? $70 on fish... it's so crazy near new years.

 

Stunning pic.. I'd love to see that sometime but my asthma would kill me

 

Palisades
2# of poke and 1# of Toro

 

Awesome shot!! I hope to someday own a camera and become "decent" at pic taking?