More than six months after their initial appearances in federal court in Honolulu, two East Hawaii men charged with illegally importing fireworks into Hawaii from the mainland and distributing them haven’t entered pleas to the charges.

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More than six months after their initial appearances in federal court in Honolulu, two East Hawaii men charged with illegally importing fireworks into Hawaii from the mainland and distributing them haven’t entered pleas to the charges.

Darrel Goo, 52, of Keaau, and Cy Tamura, 45, of Hilo — who made their initial appearances on Dec. 30 last year — each are free on $50,000 bail.

Both men are charged with conspiracy, transporting fireworks into Hawaii, and engaging in the business of and transporting, distributing and storing explosive materials.

Goo also is charged with shipping, transporting, receiving (and/or) possessing explosives via interstate commerce, and being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren on June 12 granted prosecutors their third delay in bringing the men to court, rescheduling a preliminary hearing to 10:30 a.m. Aug. 21 before Magistrate Judge Rom Trader. The hearing originally was scheduled for Jan. 20.

Kurren’s order states “good cause exists to extend the indictment and preliminary hearing deadlines … so that the parties can each discuss the offenses, the voluminous discovery that has been produced can be reviewed with each counsel and each defendant, and the parties can each work towards resolution of their cases.”

The order excludes these delays from consideration under the Speedy Trial Act. The document states that “the ends of justice served by permitting this extension outweigh the best interest of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial.”

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According to a federal complaint, the combined weight of fireworks seized after search warrants were served on Goo’s and Tamura’s residences exceeded 18.5 tons. Authorities also allege the pair illegally brought fireworks into the state for distribution since at least 2017.

Law enforcement personnel engaged in undercover surveillance last year of Goo’s and Tamura’s alleged operation and covertly seized about two shipping containers of fireworks before they were shipped to Hawaii.

A federal search warrant was executed on Aug. 13, 2025. At Goo’s residence, law enforcement seized documents, digital devices, a Ruger model 22/45 Lite .22 caliber pistol, a Sig Sauer P322 .22 caliber pistol, a Taurus model 605 .357 caliber revolver, and an unserialized 9 mm caliber sidearm, according to the complaint.

About 2,700 rounds of ammunition, $8,909 in cash, 36 M-type explosive devices — including M-80s and M-100s — and 33 pallets of various fireworks were also seized.

At Tamura’s residence, law enforcement seized documents and rec­ords, digital devices, over $40,000 in cash, and three pallets of fireworks, the complaint states.

Most of the pyrotechnics allegedly were purchased from an unnamed business in Prescott, Wis., according to the complaint.

If convicted as charged, Goo and Tamura face prison sentences of up to 10 years and fines of up to $250,000 per count, and Goo faces an additional 15 years of imprisonment for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

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Email John Burnett at [email protected].