We have met the enemy and he is us.

Fireworks:Friend or foe? Firworks should not be banned. Every year there is a push to ban fireworks in Hawaii. The many traditions of Hawaii include the ever famous and anticipated New Years or fourth of July were many fireworks are burned. Children running around with beautiful colors in their hands and crackling ones being thrown. Every year people are always sent to the hospital. Should they be banned just because of a few hospital cases?


It is true that on these days where many people celebrate, there are many things that have proved to be a problem here on the island. The smoke creates bad air quality. And if you were on the Big island you would see that on top of the smoke, there were plenty of vog that made conditions all the more worse. People with poor respitory systems often find these times hard to celebrate. Also many people go to the hospitals because of burns from these dangerous things.

But is it really the fault of the item or the handler? The saying best fit comes from the cartoon Pogo;We have met the enemy and he is us. Think about it. Out of all the people with poor respitory problems, was it the fireworks that first caused these problems? No, either they were born with it or it was aquired over the years due to smoking or other causes. And those who were born with it know the dangers of being out and what they can and cant handle. Those others should also be aware of the dangers when they step out into the smoke infested air. And for those who were burned, was it not of their own wreklesness that caused the damage? There are so many things to consider before we rush to a rash descision. Should the tradition and enjoyment, even of those with respitory problems, be banned because of a few burns and run ins to the hospital? We should first consider how much fun it is to watch the bonding of family and friends with the similar enjoyment of fireworks. Imagine a New Year's or fourth of July without the merryment and excitment. Thats what it would be like without the display of the beauty and dangerous colors. It would be like any other party during the year.