Nearly 40 firearms, 58 pounds of fireworks surrendered at Maui buyback
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Maui residents surrendered nearly 40 firearms and 58 pounds of illegal fireworks at a community buyback event Saturday in Kahului, according to the state Department of Law Enforcement.
The Maui Police Department hosted the buyback with the state Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department. Participants received Foodland gift cards for surrendering firearms and fireworks.
"These unwanted guns and fireworks will never again be used. They will never again pose any type of threat to a loved one or have an opportunity to be used in a crime. Every weapon turned in counts," department Director Jared Redulla said in a news release.
Illegal fireworks surrendered during a community gun and fireworks buyback Saturday in Kahului are collected for disposal. Maui residents turned in 58 pounds of illegal fireworks during the event. Photo courtesy Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement
The gun buyback was held through an anonymous amnesty program. No identification was required, and participants were not questioned about the firearms.
Licensed gun dealers and active or retired law enforcement officers were not eligible to participate.
Participants received $200 gift cards for automatic firearms, semiautomatic rifles and ghost guns. They received $100 gift cards for handguns, rifles, shotguns, bump stocks and Glock switches.
Those surrendering illegal fireworks could receive up to $200 in gift cards, with compensation based on the type and weight of the fireworks.
Firearm serial numbers will be checked, and the last known registered owners will be notified by mail, according to the department.
The firearms will be destroyed under federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives specifications.
Law enforcement personnel process surrendered firearms during the Sept. 19 community gun and fireworks buyback in Kahului. Photo courtesy Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement
The Honolulu Police Department's bomb squad will assess the surrendered fireworks. Improvised explosives will be handled by the bomb squad, while the state Department of Law Enforcement will oversee the destruction of commercial-grade fireworks.
State officials said 2,200 firearms have been surrendered through buyback events since the program began in late 2024.
Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement sheriff deputies assist with the Sept. 19 community gun and fireworks buyback in Kahului. Photo courtesy Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement