Waipahu, HI – Carlton Finley, former project manager for Donaldson Enterprises, Inc. (DEI), received one year of probation on August 16, 2017, following a guilty plea related to a deadly 2011 fireworks explosion in Waipahu, Hawaii. The incident, which occurred at a Waikele Self Storage facility leased by DEI, claimed the lives of five DEI employees.
The explosion and subsequent fire erupted on April 8, 2011, at approximately 8:50 am while DEI personnel were engaged in the storage and disposal of seized fireworks. Investigators determined the blast originated within a designated “magazine” – a secure storage area for explosives – used by DEI. The investigation quickly focused on potential safety violations and improper handling of the highly volatile materials.
Finley, as project manager, bore responsibility for overseeing the storage and disposal process. While initially facing potential felony charges, Finley ultimately pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor count of improper storage of explosive material, a violation of Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code, specifically 18 U.S.C. 842(j). This statute addresses the unlawful storage of explosive materials and carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine – though the misdemeanor conviction resulted in a significantly lighter sentence of one year probation.
Sources close to the investigation indicate that the improper storage involved deviations from established safety protocols and inadequate safeguards to prevent accidental ignition. While the specific details of the violations remain largely sealed, court documents suggest a failure to maintain appropriate separation between different types of fireworks and a lack of adherence to quantity limits within the storage magazine. The families of the deceased have expressed continued frustration with the perceived leniency of the sentence, arguing that it does not adequately reflect the gravity of the negligence that led to the tragic loss of life.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Criminal Investigation Division led the investigation, working in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case underscores the inherent dangers associated with the handling and disposal of explosives and the critical importance of strict adherence to safety regulations. DEI itself faced separate scrutiny following the incident, though details of any corporate penalties or settlements remain limited.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Carlton Finley
- Location: Waikele Self Storage, Waipahu, Hawaii
- Date of Incident: April 8, 2011
- Fatalities: 5 DEI employees
- Charge: Improper storage of explosive material (misdemeanor)
- Statute Violated: 18 U.S.C. 842(j) – Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code
- Sentence: One year probation (August 16, 2017)
GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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