A fireworks-related explosion in Honolulu’s Salt Lake-Aliamanu neighborhood early New Year’s Day claimed two lives and left 22 others injured, according to local officials.
The deadly blast occurred around midnight at a home on Keaka Drive, where residents and visitors had gathered to celebrate the new year. First responders, including police, firefighters, and EMS teams, arrived swiftly to manage the chaotic aftermath.
A neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, described hearing a “low blast” before the situation escalated. “I heard what seemed to be a low blast, and moments later, there was a lot of commotion — ambulances, fire trucks, and police,” he said. “It was tragic.”
He recounted comforting a woman critically injured in the explosion. “She was in shock and about to collapse. She was looking for her son, who was also injured,” the neighbor said. “I stayed by her side until help arrived.”
EMS personnel quickly established a triage area to prioritize patients based on the severity of their injuries, transporting them to trauma centers across Oahu.
The severity of injuries shocked even seasoned first responders. Honolulu EMS Chief Jim Ireland said, “This is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in EMS. Some of our responders, who’ve served in combat, said it reminded them of what they’ve witnessed in war zones.”
Sunny Johnson, an EMS paramedic supervisor, described the injuries as “blast-type,” adding, “We saw people with missing limbs and others hit by shrapnel, similar to what you’d expect from an explosion or bomb.”
According to Newsweek, the explosion may have been triggered when a firework detonated in the hand of a 14-year-old boy. He was treated on-site and later transported to a trauma center for advanced care.
The Honolulu Police Department has urged residents to avoid the area while the investigation continues.
“This was a night meant for celebration, but it ended in devastation,” said Chief Ireland. “The lives of families, this neighborhood, and our community have been forever changed.”
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion. It remains unclear whether illegal fireworks were involved.
