A 20-year-old Hawaiian man tragically lost his life in a fireworks incident on the Fourth of July. Police and fire personnel responded to reports of an illegal fireworks accident Tuesday night at a Big Island parking lot. Upon arrival, they discovered Glen John Nakata of Kailua-Kona lying on the ground with a severe head injury. Witnesses reported seeing Nakata holding a fireworks launcher above his head when a firework detonated, causing him to fall. He was transported to a hospital but unfortunately did not survive. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the precise cause of death.

The type of firework involved in the incident remains unclear. The illegal use of fireworks is a persistent problem in Hawaii. In a recent effort to address this issue, Governor Josh Green signed legislation last month establishing a task force dedicated to curbing the importation of illegal fireworks and enhancing compliance with state fireworks laws. The legislation highlighted the dangers associated with illegal fireworks, citing deaths, injuries, brush fires, and structural fires as consequences.