The fireworks referendum

The world is a crazy place. At times, so is Hawaii. As I write this, nearing midnight on December 31, 2007, our neighborhood is ablaze with thunderous explosions, flashing lights, and thick smoke. It will only get worse.

Hawaii’s tradition of fireworks will cause untold grief for hundreds of thousands of residents in congested neighborhoods, and maim dozens more in dangerous explosions.

Why? Tradition.

What? Evil spirits are aroused and frightened by fireworks, right? Celebrations require loud noise, danger, and physical damage, right?

Wrong. Fireworks in the hands of common man, and in the hands those who can least afford them, is a tradition whose time has come and gone. It is time to ban the sale of fireworks and relegate the spectacular visual effects of fireworks to the professionals and special occasions.

Why? Safety. Neighborhood fireworks provide no benefit to neighbors. They’re dangerous. They’re expensive. They’re noisy and offensive and pose a health hazard. Did I mention they’re dangerous?

How can reasonably intelligent (which assumes that those who use fireworks are neither reasonable, nor intelligent) citizens obtain a ban on personal fireworks? How about a referendum? A vote?

Now we’re on to something. A referendum is a vote by the electorate on a single political question referred to them by authorities for a direct decision. A referendum posed to registered voters would result in a ban of personal fireworks.

Alas, it is not to be. In the absence of lawmakers capable of enacting laws beneficial to Hawaii’s residents, the mere thought of a referendum on issues sends shivers down the spineless areas of the non-absent lawmakers.