Hawai'i residents welcomed the new year last night with family, friends and fireworks — and anticipation of one of the biggest sporting events in Hawai'i history.

Before all eyes turned to New Orleans for today's Sugar Bowl featuring the University of Hawai'i Warriors, thousands of people watched public fireworks displays last night in Kahala, Waikiki, at Aloha Tower and at the Ihilani Resort.

Many more celebrated with fireworks and friendly gatherings in neighborhoods across the state, and emergency officials reported relatively few fireworks-related problems. Windy and damp conditions may have helped make the evening relatively safe, police and fire officials across the state reported.

As of 11 p.m., Honolulu Fire Department officials reported only a handful of fireworks-related problems, but engines were responding to a second alarm for a structure fire reported on Kikepa Street in Waikele.

Earlier, the most serious problem was a fire yesterday afternoon that caused an undetermined amount of damage to an abandoned barracks building at the former Barbers Point Naval Station, said Capt. Terry Seelig, a Fire Department spokesman.

Four fire companies needed about 20 minutes to extinguish the afternoon fire in a three-story building, Seelig said.

Fireworks also were blamed for several trash, rubbish and grass fires, none of which caused serious damage, he said.

Winds gusting up to 23 mph were expected to help dissipate some fireworks smoke, but the National Weather Service said some areas, especially in valleys, might experience thick smoke through the early morning hours.

Police dispatchers on O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island all reported quiet evenings, with no major fires, accidents or crimes.

Meanwhile, Honolulu police announced that they were continuing to investigate more than 2 tons of illegal aerial fireworks seized last week in a Palolo home.

About 4,300 pounds of illegal fireworks were stored in the home in the 1500 block of Palolo Avenue, police said.

Had the illegal material caught fire, the results could have been catastrophic for the neighborhood, said police Capt. Kurt Kendro.

The Honolulu Fire Department reported that 114,159 cases of firecrackers and novelties were imported for sale for this New Year's Eve.

That is less than last year's 141,798 cases, but more than each of the four previous years. The Fire Department noted that there is no standard size for a case, and that it can vary by manufacturer.

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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