Hawaiian Gardens : Council Reverses Itself, Douses Vote on Fireworks

Voters in Hawaiian Gardens will not, it turns out, get a chance to cast ballots for or against Fourth of July fireworks.

During a heated debate in July, the City Council voted 3 to 2 to place a referendum on the ballot that, if approved, would ban the use of pyrotechnics. In a recent special meeting, however, the council reversed itself and decided not to put a referendum on the ballot.

The council said it would do an opinion survey instead to determine if residents want a ban on fireworks. As in several other cities that allow fireworks, Hawaiian Gardens allows nonprofit groups to sell the holiday novelties once a year.