Fireworks were fun as a kid. Holding sparklers, going to organized events. It was a blast. But things have changed.

In 1974 there were 213.9 million persons in the USA. Today there are 331.9 million people. 16.5 million are military. 8.9 million are kids. 12 million have PTSD. 37 million have some breathing issues.

Fireworks have evolved, and it is hurting us.

What we saw in Oahu on New Year's Eve was shameful. We should be setting a precedent for the rest of the world, yet instead, we are hypocritical in the love of our lands.

People were allowed to shoot off aerial fireworks, homemade or purchased bombs, and hundreds of thousands of firecrackers in residential neighborhoods in the name of tradition.

No tradition allows for this, and utilizing that as an excuse is outrageous.

Both adults and kids were terrified. Cats, dogs, and birds all fled. Smoke was endless and filled the air to capacity. There are videos everywhere of this debacle.

The hours of this "noise" lasted from 6 pm (earlier in some areas) until after 2 am and was nonstop. Even the next morning, you could hear fireworks being set off. Many did not sleep that night, filled with anxiety as each bomb went off.

The litter was endless as well. Even with no wind, you cannot pick it all up, and every piece that floats away carries poison to sicken our wildlife and damage the ocean more.

Our police have spoken up and claim there is nothing they can do.

We can do something, though, and that is to present this petition to our voted-in politicians and make them listen. We can change this law and get fireworks banned from these islands. We must be persistent!

Those of us that love these islands would like to keep them that way.