Honolulu airport screeners this week caught a man trying to board a plane with fireworks in his luggage, prompting federal officials to issue a reminder that it is illegal to transport any fireworks on commercial aircraft.

Transportation Security Administration inspectors on Tuesday found 12 fountain fireworks devices in the luggage of a U.S. citizen trying to catch a flight to Korea, a government spokesman said.

The man was allowed to board the flight after surrendering the fireworks, said Ian Gregor, FAA Western-Pacific Region spokesman.

"It they were to ignite, the results could be catastrophic," Gregor said. "People have to understand that fireworks, even the smallest sparklers, pose a tremendous fire risk onboard commercial aircraft."

It was the first fireworks seizure at the airport here this holiday season. But Gregor said Hawai'i travelers have the worst record for breaking the fireworks ban on airplanes in the Western-Pacific Region, which is California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawai'i and Pacific islands.

"Hawai'i makes up a fraction of the region's overall traffic, but the state's passengers account for more than one-third of all fireworks seizures at the region's airports," he said, estimating the number of violations in the region at several dozen per year.

FAA officials in Hawai'i have sent letters to fireworks retailers asking them to help educate the public by reminding them that they cannot take any fireworks on airplanes. Retailers were given posters to display at their stores.

"Transportation Security Administration screeners at Hawai'i airports are finding, on a continuing basis, fireworks in baggage, which present a serious hazard to flight safety," said Edward Jones, division manager for the FAA Office of Security & Hazardous Materials.

Civil penalties start at $250 and can be as high as $50,000 per violation. Criminal conviction could lead to prison time of up to five years and fines up to $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for corporations.

For more information on prohibited items, visit www.faa.gov/passengers/prepare_fly.