Two Hawaii Men Face Delays in Federal Fireworks Import Case

Nearly 11 months after their initial appearances in federal court in Honolulu, two East Hawaii men facing federal charges for illegally importing massive quantities of mainland fireworks have yet to enter pleas, West Hawaii Today reported.

Darrel Goo, 53, of Keaau, and Cy Tamura, 46, of Hilo, made their initial court appearances on Dec. 30 last year and remain free on $50,000 bail each. Both men face federal counts of conspiracy, transporting fireworks into Hawaii, and engaging in the business of and transporting, distributing, and storing explosive materials.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Rom Trader granted prosecutors their third delay in bringing the defendants to court, pushing the preliminary hearing to Nov. 19. The hearing was originally scheduled for Jan. 20, postponed to Aug. 21, and is now delayed once more.

Court documents show that good cause exists to extend the deadlines so that both sides can review preliminary discovery, talk over the offenses with their respective counsel, and discuss potential outcomes. Magistrate Judge Rom Trader’s order excludes these delays from the Speedy Trial Act, noting that the ends of justice outweigh the public and defendant interest in a speedy trial.

Federal investigators seized a combined weight exceeding 18.5 tons of fireworks after executing search warrants at the residences of Goo and Tamura. Authorities allege the pair operated an illegal importation network bringing fireworks into the state for distribution since at least 2017.

Law enforcement conducted undercover surveillance last year and covertly seized about two shipping containers of fireworks before they ever reached Hawaii. A federal search warrant was executed on August 13, 2025.

During interviews with investigators on the day of the search, Goo allegedly stated that Tamura served as the shipper on manifests to keep Goo’s name off the paperwork. Tamura allegedly helped unload the shipments upon arrival at the Port of Hilo, telling authorities his sales season ran from October through December through a network of helpers paid between $20 and $50 per piece sold.

At Goo’s residence, authorities recovered digital devices, documents, thousands of rounds of ammunition, cash, M-type explosive devices including M-80s and M-100s, dozens of pallets of fireworks, and four firearms. Because Goo was convicted in 1996 of auto theft and second-degree theft, both Class C felonies, federal law prohibits him from possessing firearms or ammunition.

At Tamura’s home, agents seized documents, digital devices, over $40,000 in cash, and three pallets of fireworks. Investigators report that the majority of the pyrotechnics originated from an unnamed business in Prescott, Wisconsin.

If convicted, Goo and Tamura face up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 fines per count. Goo faces an additional 15 years behind bars for the firearm and ammunition charges.

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