In The News
The links on this page take readers to news stories published by various news media outlets and are provided for historical and informational purposes only.
Illegal fireworks amnesty in Waipahu nets 700 pounds of explosives
510 pounds of illegal fireworks collected at Waipahu buyback event
Star Advertiser
November 23, 2025
Officials collect more than 500 pounds of illegal fireworks at buyback event
Hawaii News Now
November 23, 2025
Last fireworks buyback ahead of NYE, state warns ‘no excuses’
KHON2 News
November 23, 2025
https://www.khon2.com/top-stories/last-fireworks-buyback-ahead-of-nye-state-warns-no-excuses/
‘Last chance’ to turn in illegal fireworks this weekend in Waipahu
State Department of Law Enforcement to hold illegal fireworks buyback event
Hawaii News Now
November 14, 2025
North Shore ranchers and farmers discuss Duke’s Law with law enforcement
Law enforcement officials rally ranchers, farmers to help curb crime on agricultural land
Nearly 500 pounds of illegal fireworks turned in during buyback event
Get up to $500 grocery card with firework buyback event
Gun Buyback event scheduled for Saturday in Wahiawa
Spectrum News
July 11, 2025
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/news/2025/07/11/gun-buyback-event-on-saturday-in-wahiawa
Meet Hawaii’s new State Fire Marshal
Fireworks fizzle as Hawaiʻi’s new laws target offenders
Caught on camera: Suspect tries to steal boat at Kewalo Basin Harbor
Green signs bills targeting illegal fireworks
Hawaii Tribute Herald
June 30, 2025
Drones To Patrol From Oʻahu Skies For Illegal Fireworks On July 4th Weekend
Honolulu Civil Beat
June 30, 2025
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/06/drones-patrol-oahu-illegal-fireworks-july-4th
Homeland Security: No specific, credible threats to Hawaii
Farmers and law enforcement join forces to fight crime on their properties
Honolulu News Now
June 22, 2025
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/06/22/farmers-join-forces-with-law-enforcement-fight-crime
Waikiki goes high-tech in crime fight
Drones Could Be Dispatched As First Responders To Crime Scenes In Hawaiʻi
Honolulu Civil Beat
June 18, 2025
Pilot project will target agricultural crimes on Hawaii Island, Oahu’s North Shore
Criminals Mailing Illegal Fireworks To Hawaiʻi Mostly Get Away With It
Honolulu Civil Beat
May 21, 2025
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/05/criminals-mailing-illegal-fireworks-hawaii-get-away-with-it
Hawaii elected officials won’t be above illegal fireworks crackdown
US representative from Hawaii targets ghost guns with new bill
Hawaii News Now
May 12, 2025
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/05/13/us-representative-hawaii-targets-ghost-guns-with-new-bill/
Fireworks legislation awaits Gov. Green’s signature
Hawaii Tribute Herald
May 12, 2025
Federal, local law enforcement aim to crack down on ghost guns
Fireworks: Hawaiʻi Fireworks Reforms Put Enforcement Onus On Police
Honolulu Civil Beat
May 7, 2025
Hawaii state lawmakers advance illegal fireworks measures
Hawaii News Now
May 03, 2025
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/05/04/hawaii-state-lawmakers-advance-illegal-fireworks-measures/
Which illegal firework bills made the cut this legislative session?
Over 100 cleared from Diamond Head during homeless sweep
367 firearms collected at amnesty event
Spectrum News
April 15, 2025
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/news/2025/04/15/367-firearms-collected-at-amnesty-event
New Hawaii DLE director details gun buyback event
State police force plan gains traction, but funding, staffing still concerns
Hawaii News Now
April 09, 2025
Law enforcement uses artificial intelligence to help stop inflow of illegal fireworks
Co-Owner Of Waiʻanae Company Charged With Importing Illegal Fireworks
Honolulu Civil Beat
March 25, 2025
Illegal Fireworks Seller Avoids Jail Time, Fined $5,000
Honolulu Civil Beat
March 13, 2025
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/03/illegal-fireworks-seller-avoids-jail-time-fined-5000/
2 men sentenced, 1 woman charged in separate illegal fireworks stings
Hidden Links Exposed: Hawaiʻi Fireworks Bust Tied To Mainland Suppliers
Honolulu Civil Beat
March 6, 2025
Few fireworks bills survive halfway point in state legislative session
Major Fireworks Seizure At Honolulu Port Points To Federal Failure
Honolulu Civil Beat
February 26, 2025
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/02/fireworks-seizure-honolulu-port-points-federal-failure/
A Rare Prosecution For Selling Illegal Fireworks Ends With Supervised Release
Honolulu Civil Beat
February 20, 2025
Scammers impersonate sheriffs to extort victims
Spectrum News
February 18, 2025
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/news/2025/02/18/scammers-impersonate-sheriffs
Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Seek Tougher Fireworks Enforcement, But No Statewide Ban
Honolulu Civil Beat
February 11, 2025
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/02/fireworks-hawai%ca%bbi-lawmakers-seek-tougher-enforcement/
Fireworks bills make it through state Senate committees
Hawaii Tribune Herald
February 7, 2025
Increased harbor inspections and penalties on the table to combat illegal fireworks
Hawaii Public Radio
February 6, 2025
Fireworks crackdown includes keeping them off planes to Hawaii
Hawaiʻi’s Illegal Fireworks Laws Aren’t Working. Is That About To Change?
Honolulu Civil Beat
January 14, 2025
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/01/hawai%ca%bbis-illegal-fireworks-laws-arent-working/
Illegal fireworks turned in after Hawaii tragedy: ‘It might happen to us’
Department looks to upgrade technology nearly five years after evidence from fatal shooting deleted
That Cop Pulling You Over May Soon Be A State Deputy Sheriff
Honolulu Civil Beat
January 9, 2025
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/01/that-cop-pulling-you-over-may-soon-be-a-state-deputy-sheriff
Full-Time Criminal Investigative Unit Proposed To Tackle Illegal Fireworks
Honolulu Civil Beat
January 7, 2025
DLE to host fireworks amnesty event at Aloha Stadium for safe disposal
Hawaii’s new law enforcement ‘super agency’ aims to fight crime more efficiently
Honolulu News Now
January 4, 2025
Hawaii lawmakers weigh funding fireworks enforcement amid New Year’s tragedy
Will Tragedy Change How Hawaiʻi Polices Illegal Fireworks?
Honolulu Civil Beat
January 3, 2025
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/01/will-tragedy-change-how-hawai%ca%bbi-polices-illegal-fireworks/
Illegal fireworks cause mass casualty event in Hawaii: ‘Enough is enough’
Retailers prepping for busy New Year’s Eve fireworks sales
Hawaiʻi Has Money To Police Agriculture Crime, But No Timeline To Start
Honolulu Civil Beat
December 10, 2024
Department of Law Enforcement’s first class of deputy sheriffs graduate
Panic Buttons For Schools? Hawaii Has a New System To Deal With Violence
Honolulu Civil Beat
November 11, 2024
DLE proposes high-tech hub near Honolulu airport
DLE contracts Microsoft to upgrade systems
Spectrum News
October 14, 2024
Passenger arrested after in-flight disturbance on United Airlines flight to Honolulu
State launches gun tip line to gather reports of illegal firearms
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
October 10, 2024
New ‘Gun Tip Line’ launched in effort to protect neighborhoods
Beware of phone scammers impersonating law enforcement officers
Hawaii News Now
September 29, 2024
Sweep on Leeward Coast results in mass arrest
KHON2
September 18, 2024
https://www.khon2.com/local-news/sweep-on-leeward-coast-results-in-mass-arrest/
Hundreds of firearms turned in at Guy Buyback event
Man found dead with multiple stab wounds near airport, murder investigation opened
Illegal fireworks tips submitted on new app during Fourth of July holiday
Turn in a gun, get a Foodland gift card
New app to help public report illegal fireworks for 4th of July
Evictions resuming after pause spurred by violent standoff in Waianae
Hawaii News Now
June 17, 2024
Law Enforcement Department halts evictions in wake of violent standoff
Department of Law Enforcement to implement body-worn cameras for Sheriffs, several divisions
$1 million bail set for suspect involved in Waianae barricade incident
24 tons of illegal fireworks seized from shipping container at Honolulu Harbor
Hawaii News Now
February 15, 2024
New Department of Law Enforcement encounters growing pains, including with its new HQ
Hawaii News Now
January 27, 2024
New Law Enforcement Department looks to hire sheriffs for neighbor islands, boost pay
Hawaii News Now
January 18, 2024
Hawaii’s new law enforcement ‘super agency’ aims to fight crime more efficiently
Hawaii News Now
January 4, 2024
State capitol in Honolulu evacuated due to threat
New Year’s Eve Firework tips for Lahaina residents; pets
KHON2
December 29, 2023
https://www.khon2.com/local-news/new-years-eve-firework-tips-for-lahaina-residents-pets/
Police to enforce H-1 parking violations on NYE
KHON2
December 28, 2023
https://www.khon2.com/local-news/police-to-enforce-h-1-parking-violations-on-nye/
New law enforcement department is a ‘force multiplier’ with criminals in its crosshairs
Seventeen tons of illegal fireworks seized
Hawaii Tribune Herald
December 27, 2023
Nearly 500 firearms recovered in state’s first guy buyback event on Oahu
Hawaii News Now
October 23, 2023
Hawaii offers gun buyback program amid rise in gun violence on island
Hawaii’s New Top Cop Wants to Beef Up Airport Police, Fireworks Inspections
Honolulu Civil Beat
March 8, 2023