Maui got a bit safer over the weekend as a buyback event in Kahului took dozens of unwanted guns and a large haul of illegal fireworks off the streets, good news for public safety on the island.

• Nearly 40 guns and 58 pounds of illegal fireworks were turned in at the event.
• People who handed over their guns or fireworks got Foodland gift cards in return.
• The buybacks are part of a statewide program run through the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement that started in 2024.
• Across the state, the program has collected 2,200 guns so far.

Outlook: The buyback events are expected to keep running around the islands, steadily pulling more unwanted guns and illegal fireworks out of circulation.