Those who measure the cause and effect of the most dismal economy in Hawai'i since the Great Depression can ponder the meaning of the following trend change this New Year's Eve:

In the midst of lost wages, high unemployment and too few inspectors to count banana-hopping rats in Chinatown, folks in Honolulu have suddenly been ignited by the idea of purchasing fireworks permits.

"They have been selling like hotcakes," said city spokesman Bill Brennan. "The numbers we're seeing are somewhat surprising given the state of the economy. But people do seem to have money for fireworks."

In the face of a potential increase in fireworks activity this season, Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha issued a statement yesterday, asking for the public's assistance in catching fireworks lawbreakers.

"Enforcement of fireworks laws is difficult, and we need everyone's help," the statement said. "We are encouraging persons who observe anyone selling, possessing or setting off illegal fireworks to call 911 and meet with an officer."

The statement was issued in part because HPD has received widespread fireworks complaints since Thanksgiving from across the island, said Kealoha, who added that the force has already been working to address the mounting problem.

"In the last month, we arrested two individuals and issued four citations for fireworks violations ," said Kealoha's statement. "In the largest case, the HPD partnered with the Honolulu Fire Department; U.S. Customs; U.S. Coast Guard; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to recover 589 cases of illegal fireworks weighing 13,400 pounds and having an estimated street value of $150,000 to $200,000."

Police aren't the only ones who are focused on illegal fireworks. HFD spokesman Terry Seelig said illegal aerial fireworks have been a particular worry for firefighters. Since Saturday there have been two suspected fireworks-related brushfires on O'ahu, said Seelig, although neither caused damage to surrounding homes.

Meanwhile, Seelig said, he expects New Year's Eve to be HFD's busiest night of the year. All companies will be operating as close to full staff as possible, and about a dozen extra firefighters have volunteered to work that night, he said. Extra equipment will be in place Thursday night.

Seelig said it's difficult to correlate a rise in the sale of fireworks permits with how much increased fireworks activity there might be in any given year. That's because the biggest and potentially most hazardous concern — illegal fireworks — has little to do with the permit process.

Still, the ironic turnaround in permit sales could indicate what the public can expect.

Following four years of downward spiraling permit sales during boom times, certificates sales were down more than 50 percent — from 10,339 permits sold by Dec. 28, 2004, to 4,038 sold by Dec. 28, 2008, according to city figures. Now, in the midst of hard times, the certificates had rocketed back like an aerial pyrotechnic display to 5,362 by the end of business on Monday.

And Brennan said the pace of fireworks permit sales appeared to be brisk again yesterday.

Wendy Glessings, from Washington state, agreed with Brennan's analysis. Glessings, in Hawai'i to operate the TNT Golden Dragon fireworks tent in the Kapolei Commons parking lot, said business has been booming.

"It's been busy since Day 1," said Glessings after ringing up $266.46 worth of firecracker and novelty items to Chantelle Pajarillo of Wai'anae. "And it's just getting better every day."

Pajarillo said the purchase was her second at the tent since Monday, and there's a good chance she'll be back today.

"It's tradition with our family — every New Year's Eve since anyone can remember," Pajarillo said. "About 20 to 30 family members come. We start at 9 p.m., which is the legal time to begin, and then we try to die it down by 1 a.m. New Year's is nothing if there's no fireworks."

Glessings, who runs one of five TNT fireworks tents on O'ahu, said she's prepared to keep the flaps open until midnight on New Year's Eve to satisfy demand.

All of which is cause for alarm to some, such as Jean Evans, executive director of the American Lung Association of Hawai'i. Evans, who has worked to have fireworks banned entirely in the state, said the 175,000 people in Hawai'i who have some form of lung disorder suffer because of fireworks smoke on New Year's.

"This year, especially because of the vog, low winds and other weather conditions, we are recommending to people with lung problems to get rest, avoid exercising, stay indoors with doors and windows closed and with air conditioning if possible, keep necessary medications handy, and seek medical attention if breathing problems become worse," Evans said.

Evans' apprehensions were confirmed by National Weather Service lead forecaster Derek Wroe, who said the weather will not be favorable for smoke sufferers on New Year's Eve. He predicts little or no rain, and virtually no trade winds.

"One of the benefits of trade winds is that typically we get all this smoke from the fireworks, but the trades help to clear it out rather quickly," Wroe said. "We're not going to have that this New Year's Eve. It's going to be dry, stable, and very light winds — which means it's going to take a long time for the smoke to disburse."

Wroe said fireworks smoke combined with volcanic haze could be especially troublesome this year.

PUBLIC FIREWORKS DISPLAYS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

O'ahu public fireworks displays planned for tomorrow night:

WHERE: Wet 'n' Wild Ihilani Resort & Spa Halekulani Aloha Tower Hawaii (1,500' offshore) Hotel Marketplace

WHEN: 7:15 p.m.* Midnight* Midnight* Midnight*

*All time are approximate

FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS

Use only approved fireworks from a licensed retail outlet that posts its retail license.

Always read and follow warnings and instructions listed by the manufacturer for the safe handling and use of fireworks.

Never point or throw fireworks at a person, building or animal.

Never ignite fireworks indoors. Make sure your outdoor area is safe for fireworks use.

Fireworks should only be lighted on a smooth, flat surface away from buildings, dry vegetation and flammable materials.

Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.

Have a garden hose or a bucket of water ready in the event of a fire.

Adults should always supervise the use of fireworks by children. Even sparklers can be dangerous for children to use without adult supervision.

Alcohol and fireworks do not mix.

Always wear eye protection when lighting fireworks.

When lighting fireworks, never position any part of your body over them.

Never attempt to relight malfunctioning fireworks.

Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.

Never carry fireworks in your pocket.

Never experiment with homemade fireworks. They are dangerous and illegal.

It is unlawful for any person to:

• Remove or extract pyrotechnic contents.

• Throw ignited fireworks from a moving vehicle.

• Set off fireworks in the vicinity of health care facilities or facilities for the care of animals.

• Set off fireworks by schools.

• Set off fireworks on public ways, in parks, cane fields, or places of worship.

• Set off, ignite, discharge, or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks within 500 feet from any hotel, which shall include the area of the City and County of Honolulu commonly known as Waikíkí, particularly described as the district bounded by the Ala Wai Canal, Kapahulu Avenue, and along the ocean back to the entrance of the Ala Wai Canal, unless a permit has been issued to allow it.

• Offer for sale, sell, or give any fireworks to minors. Parents or guardians may allow a minor to use fireworks only while under the immediate supervision and control of an adult.

• Possess or use aerial fireworks unless the fire chief of the Honolulu Fire Department issues a display permit per Hawai'i Revised Statutes Chapter 132D.

• Transport fireworks in carryon or checked luggage, airline cargo or mail.

Source: Honolulu Fire Department