HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii authorities are asking lawmakers for money to hire eight people and pay for a $2 million expansion of a forensic lab to crack down on the rampant smuggling of illegal fireworks. The request comes one week after a massive explosion of illegal fireworks at a Honolulu home killed four people and injured about 20 more on New Year’s Eve. The Department of Law Enforcement outlined the funding request during a hearing before the House Finance Committee on Tuesday. Hawaii lawmakers will consider budget requests during their next legislative session due to begin on Jan. 15.
