Four More Arrested in Deadly Aliamanu Fireworks Explosion

HONOLULU – Four more people have been arrested in connection with the deadly illegal fireworks explosion on Jan. 1 in Aliamanu, bringing the total number of arrests to 10. The explosion, on Keaka Drive, killed five people and injured dozens more.

Parents Arrested for Allowing Children to Handle Fireworks

Honolulu police have confirmed that on Friday afternoon, four parents were taken into custody, accused of allowing minor children to ignite illegal fireworks as hundreds of youngsters held a house party. Tragedy erupted when a big stockpile of fireworks was mistakenly lit, touching off a mammoth blast.

The ones arrested were Demi Alyssa Mendoza, 31, and Dao Rin, 32, who face charges of first-degree reckless endangerment, first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and three fireworks-related offenses for allowing their children, ages 9 and 11, to handle illegal fireworks.

Also arrested were Michael Jr. Reyes Cabato, 29, and a 28-year-old woman, mother of his 1-year-old child. Cabato was charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and multiple fireworks offenses. The woman was arrested for child endangerment.

Video of Explosion

It was a "cake" firework, holding approximately 50 aerial cartridges that had fallen, fired itself, into two crates of fireworks and began the huge blast. The resulting blast-coming at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1-had been documented by many people in the crowd who used drone cameras, hence this footage also made it onto social media and several news outlets later.

Investigation Continues, Feds Arrive

More than 500 pounds of unexploded illegal fireworks were recovered by authorities from inside the vehicles at the scene and the home's carport. Investigations into the source and distribution of the illegal fireworks are ongoing. Federal law enforcement is reportedly preparing further arrests and charges.

The four arrested Wednesday were released pending further investigation. None of the children involved had injuries in the explosion.

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More updates are expected as authorities continue to track the origins of the illegal fireworks that led to Hawaii’s deadliest fireworks-related incident in over a decade.