What's the message our leaders are trying to send about fireworks? Because on the eve of the New Year, the only one coming through sounded like: KA-BOOM!

There seems very little sign that the law banning aerial fireworks has had much effect. This year, the anecdotal reports from the streets would indicate no reduction in aerials blasting off from neighborhood streets.

Because the ban on possession is so hard to enforce — police would run themselves ragged citing enough rocket-launchers to make an impact — it certainly seems as if the collective attitude is casual.

This year there were fewer problems with aerials touching off fires, although the rainy weather probably helped with that more than any restriction.

At least one household this year discovered a reason to take the law seriously. Police raided a Palolo Avenue home, arrested a man on suspicion of selling the banned aerials and confiscated 4,500 pounds of the contraband. Conviction would mean stiff penalties, possibly jail time — and rightly so, because the illicit fireworks "store" threatened the safety of the entire neighborhood.

Unfortunately, O'ahu residents tend to regard the users of the fireworks more kindly — they're just having a little fun, right? — when the truth is, they're creating the market for the dealers.

Even one aerial that goes astray can cause injury and fire, and the glory of a single, incendiary moment isn't worth that.

Law enforcement agencies must conduct a public education campaign about the real hazards of illegal fireworks — including respiratory ailments as well as injury— and the penalties that are attached.

And part of that message should be the need for community members to step up and help police find the most serious offenders, before the harm is done.

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