6 fireworks explosion survivors transported to mainland for further treatment
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Six individuals with severe burn injuries from the massive Aliamanu fireworks explosion are now on the mainland for further treatment.
They were flown to a specialized burn unit in Arizona aboard a C-17 plane, which landed this evening at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
First responders at Straub Benioff Medical Center assisted in the medical transport. Crews then went to The Queen’s Medical Center on Punchbowl St. where they helped in getting more patients.
Officials said over 30 staff accompanied the patients aboard the plane — 6 personnel per burn victim.
One of the patients on board, 29-year-old Abigail Allie, a Radford High School graduate and valedictorian.
A GoFundMe is already raising money for medical expenses.
“She is incredibly smart and outgoing and she has so many friends,” said Leby Jose, her step sister-in-law.
“She’s 67 percent burned.”
HNN has been able to confirm that Sammi Feliciano and Tommy Dao were also on the flight to Arizona for further treatment.
For a list of GoFundMe pages for the survivors, click here.
The crew included military personnel from both the mainland and Hawaii, specialists in air transport, doctors, nurses, aides and respiratory specialists.
Those injured in the explosion during New Year’s Eve celebrations will be taken to Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center, which is considered one of the largest burn centers in the country.
“These people are all intubated. They’re all on breathing machines. They all have large percental body surface area burns,” said burn center director Kevin Foster.
“All of them have certain issues with pain and sedation and some have traumatic injuries so we have to be prepared for that, but we have rooms already set aside, we have staffing ready to go, our operating room is ready to go so we are prepared for them,” he said.
Meanwhile back in Hawaii, the investigation continues as state officials discuss the path forward.
HNN obtained the state’s illegal fireworks task force’s 2025 report to lawmakers, revealing the big financial windfall for those who deal in illegal aerials.
The report said “the return on investment for those who smuggle illegal fireworks into Hawaii is a rate of five to one (5 to1)”
It also says law enforcement doesn’t have enough money or staff to interdict smuggling at points of entry.
It adds that: “the task force is part-time and members have a primary job they must do in addition to task force work.”
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