Did you every watch "Professional" Wrestling?  If you did you're probably aware the fix was in long before the fight, long before the match was even scheduled.  Wins and losses were carefully orchestrated to keep the public interested.  Can't have a single winner all the time, nor an over-and-over loser.  Who would watch?  Not unlike professional sports - hence the trades and drafts to keep all the teams relatively competitive - again, can't have one bracket of winners and another bracket of losers.  Have to mix it up.
So what does that have to do with politics?  The fix in in.  More crooked than professional wrestling or professional sports.  Here's an example.  A Representative's constituents make noise about wanting this or that legislation.  That desire/need is FIRST evaluated against the party's political agenda.  If it fits, it has a chance, if it doesn't fit or it may alienate other voters, it has to go.  But how does the Representative make the constituent "think" they're being supported while at the same time keeping the Party happy?  The introduce a Bill that addresses the constituent's need/desire, and then with a "wink-wink-nod-nod" ensures that the Bill never sees the light of day.  That's accomplished by running it through endless committees - all of which may approve the Bill - but at the end they run out the clock.  The Bill doesn't come to the floor for a vote, usually just dying in one of the endless, and endlessly useless, committees.

So, you may ask, is this the case for EVERY Bill/Measure and EVERY Politician.  Simply, No.  Not EVERY Bill/Measure, not EVERY Politician, not EVERY time.  But, Yes, it happens far, far more often than anyone of us would realize.  The remedy?  Be vigilant, track legislation, know how your Representative is voting and whether they're voting in YOUR interest.  Email them, call them - it's the ONE TIME this website will ever say "Be Noisy."  Let your voice be heard, and heard loudly and often.

Let's look at a couple of those from 2021 and how they are faring.  Please bear in mind that the 2021 Legislative Session is Pau on 29 April.  Any Bill/Measure not passed simply dies.


Measure:  HB508 HD1
Measure Title:  RELATING TO FIREWORKS.
Report Title:   Fireworks; Penalties
Description:  Increases the fines associated with the illegal use of consumer fireworks and display fireworks, articles pyrotechnic, and aerial devices outside of the times permitted by law. Effective 1/1/2050. (HD1)
Introducer(s):CULLEN, AQUINO, TAKAYAMA, TAKUMI, YAMANE
STATUS:

So as the legislature returned from mandatory 5-day recess on 4 March, this Bill - which increases fines for illegal fireworks use, is still in committee. (Note: we had inadvertently and incorrectly previously (and in our email) said "adjourned 4 March."  It should be as now written "returned from mandatory 5-day recess on 4 March.)

If this issue is important to you, let your Legislator/Representative know ASAP.  A list of Representatives and their Contact information can be found here:    https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/members/legislators.aspx?chamber=H

Next up:

Measure:  HB1246 HD2
​Measure Title:RELATING TO FIREWORKS.
Report Title: Fireworks; Fireworks Control Law; Air Pollution; Noise Pollution; Civil Penalties; Violations; Citations
Description: Specifies that certain violations of the Fireworks Control Law shall be considered an activity that causes air pollution under the Hawaii Air Pollution Control Act and a violation of noise control rules under the Hawaii noise pollution laws, and punishable by civil penalties and subject to citations under those respective laws. Effective 1/1/2050. (HD2)
Introducer(s):JOHANSON, AQUINO, BELATTI, BRANCO, CULLEN, DECOITE, ELI, HAR, HASHIMOTO, ICHIYAMA, ILAGAN, KITAGAWA, B. KOBAYASHI, LOPRESTI, LOWEN, MARTEN, MATAYOSHI, MATSUMOTO, MCKELVEY, MIZUNO, MORIKAWA, NAKAMURA, NAKASHIMA, NISHIMOTO, PERRUSO, QUINLAN, TAM, TARNAS, TODD, WILDBERGER, YAMANE
STATUS:

Comment:

G'day -
Having a real problem with basketball hoop set up by the street with lots of balls reverberating on the pavement / against the backboard. Got to think this is unlawful ?!
Further, if this hoop is moved to my next door neighbors driveway directly by our house, what recourse do we have for maybe this louder noise ?
Mahalo,

Quieter O'ahu Response:

Aloha,
​Your problem, regrettably, falls into the category of "Noisy Neighbors."  We've had reports of neighbors doing everything from loud stereos in the middle of the night, to setting off illegal fireworks throughout the evenings, to gas-powered landscaping equipment running full-out in the very early morning.  And did I mention roosters, dogs, and other animal noises?  We know.  It's bad and it's loud.

Here's a link to our website where you'll find the O'ahu Noise Reference Manual.  

https://www.quieteroahu.com/reporting-noise-violations.html

At page 12 it discusses options for Noisy Neighbors.  Essentially there are three: 1) if you have a good dialogue with your neighbor, discuss the problem and attempt to resolve; 2) call HPD and an officer will make a "subjective" determination of the problem; and 3) contact the Pacific Mediation Center who will intervene to bring parties together to attempt to resolve the problem.  Following is the website for the Mediation Center where it discusses their services.  We have had several reports of positive outcomes by using their services.

https://www.mediatehawaii.org/mediation

We're on a small island and our living conditions are much more congested than many other places.  We all need to understand this and let it guide our actions where the possibility of disturbing the quality of life of another person is concerned.

We'll post your comment to our Noise Blog for the benefit of others.  As requested, we have also added you to our distribution.

Mahalo,
Quieter O'ahu

Reply below was received from Rep Kobayashi representing Diamond Head, Kahala, Kaimuku, Kapahulu.  Broadly dismissive of our email.  Language of his response seems to indicate that he doesn't understand that HR6 is a proposal for a "Study" and not a "one-size-fits-all solution."  A study, Rep Kobayashi, is how you begin to develop a priority or two, focus, so to not shotgun widely.

Appears we won't be having support for HR6 from this Diamond Head, Kahala, Kaimuki, Kapahulu Representative. 

Quieter O'ahu
- - - - - - - - - - - - -Rep Kobayashi Email:
​Hi, to whomever,
1.  Your organization is unknown to me.  Sorry, don't know your blog.
2. .Do you remember CAN/Citizens Against Noise from the 1970s -1980s?..and former St. Rep. Joan Hayes?
3.  HR 6 seems too broad [[health AND quality of life impacts, and multiple noise sources, which CANNOT be addressed with a one-size-fits-all solution/law].  Pick a priority or two, focus, don't shot-gun widely.
4.  much unfinished noise issues/proposals over the decades –highway noise, especially for homes near highways; leafblowers are now in statute but not noisy vaccum clean-up equipment; aircraft noise; multiple service vehicles, some mentioned in HR6; etc.  etc.
/Bertrand Kobayashi
  State Representative
  Diamond Head, Kahala, Kaimuki, Kapahulu

There are 2 pieces of legislation now in the Hawai'i House of Representatives pertaining to noise.  Rather, there is one Resolution and one Bill, that affect numerous of the noise issues we are concerned with here at Quieter O'ahu: Urban Noise and Emergency Response Vehicle Sirens.  We are asking your assistance to bring heightened visibility to both legislative actions through an email campaign addressed to the introducers/offerrors of this legislation.  There will likely be follow-on email campaigns as this legislation moves through the legislative process.  

These legislative initiatives are:

HR6 - REQUESTING THE STATE AUDITOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA, TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE CUMULATIVE HEALTH EFFECTS OF PERSISTENT URBAN NOISE IN HONOLULU.
This study is important as it will formally document and bring legislative focus and attention to many of the urban noises we are subjected to every day that pose a very real risk to the health of O'ahu residents.  Among the topics the study will address include, but are not limited to:
(1)   Busses “kneeling” along the Beretania Street, Hotel Street, and King Street routes, which generate a hydraulic noise followed by a beeping noise;
(2)   High-pitched and extremely piercing sirens of police vehicles, fire trucks, and ambulances
(3)   The downshifting of fire trucks traveling down Nuuanu Avenue to King Street;
(4)   Garbage trucks circling through Chinatown and downtown Honolulu with their back-up beepers and rattling large containers beginning at 4:30 a.m. and sometimes as early as 2:30 a.m.;
(5)   Honking car horns and car alarms at unpredictable times; 
(6)   Tourist trolley bells clanging three to four jingles in a row;
(7)   Squealing noises that are particularly penetrating and intense from poorly maintained brakes of buses, garbage trucks, and tourist trolleys;
(8)   Loud motorcycle engines that can also trigger more noise by setting off car alarms;
(9)   Mopeds without mufflers or with modified mufflers; and back-up beepers on various vehicles that can be heard from blocks away, which are especially noticeable at night and in the early morning; and 

WHEREAS, other sources of noise that contribute to the urban cacophony and discord include:
(1)   Low—frequency repetitive bass music that emanates with occasional spikes in volume from music playing at area venues, especially open-air venues;
(2)   Smokers congregating outside their favorite bar or restaurant, often continuing until 2:00 a.m. or later;
(3)   Leaf blowers in the street, in parks, and around residential buildings during and outside legally permitted times;
(4)   Persons whistling and yelling at each other throughout the night; and
(5)   Homeless campers creating various noises, including the occasional quarrel or fight; and

WHEREAS, other more intermittent noises contribute to additional disruptive noise that intrudes on urban residents throughout the day and night, such as:
(1)    Power washing of streets and private plazas;
(2)    Grease trap pumping at some restaurants, starting as early as 6:00 a.m. and utilizing a very loud motor;
(3)    Street cleaning machines that tend to be operated around 4:30 a.m.;
(4)    Recycling operations from bars that involve a large dump of glass bottles all at once and sorting of individual bottles, several times a week at unpredictable hours; and
(5)    Harbor noise, including loud hammering.


Full text of HR6 can be read at this link: 
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/search/isysquery/0f292ea0-0e5b-4426-950d-aeec6d09b596/1/doc/#hit1

ACTION REQUESTED ON HR6:  
1.  We request that all subscribers send an email To: Representative Saiki, repsaiki@Capitol.hawaii.gov - offeror of the resolution, with a cc: to All Representatives, reps@Capitol.hawaii.gov
2.  Email subject:  We Urgently Need the HEALTH EFFECTS OF PERSISTENT URBAN NOISE Study proposed by HR6!!
3.  Recommended text:  Noise on O'ahu has reached intolerable levels, having strongly negative impacts on both health and quality of life.  I urge each representative to support HR6.  signed - [your name]



HB518 - RELATING TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLES
This legislation addresses, among other issues:
Emergency response vehicle noise task force.  This proposes establishment of an emergency response vehicle noise task force within the department of health for administrative purposes, as provided in section 26-35, to examine the use and effectiveness of lights and sirens by emergency response vehicles. The task force shall (among other tasks):
(1)   Evaluate the impact of sirens at night on communities that surround facilities for emergency response vehicles in urban and rural areas;
(2)   Evaluate the relative effectiveness of utilizing lights alone compared to using lights and sirens at night in enhancing the safety of first responders, patients, and the public; and
(3)   Recommend rules on the appropriate use of lights and sirens by emergency response vehicles for adoption by the relevant agencies.

 The task force shall consist of nineteen members to be appointed in the manner and to serve for the terms provided in section 26-34; provided that the members shall be the director of health or the director’s designee, who shall serve as chairperson.

The full text of HB518 can be read at this link:
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/search/isysquery/0f292ea0-0e5b-4426-950d-aeec6d09b596/3/doc/#hit1

ACTION REQUESTED ON HB518:  
1.  We request that all subscribers send an email To: Representative Holt, repholt@Capitol.hawaii.gov - submitter of the Bill, with a cc: to All Representatives, reps@Capitol.hawaii.gov
2.  Email subject:  I strongly support HB518 -  RELATING TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLES.  
3.  Recommended text:  The noise of our emergency response vehicles on O'ahu is ear-splitting and nerve-shattering.  And it doesn't have to be this bad.  We should curtail the use of sirens and look at alternative sounds which are less impacful such as have been adopted by many European locales addressing this noise in their communities.  This noise negatively impacts both health and quality of life.  I urge each representative to support HB518.  signed - [your name]

If each household addressed by this email sends just one (1) email to above Representatives, we will have over 200 emails in the inboxes of every legislature calling their attention to the worst of noises in our community.  If each person in each household send one email, well, imagine the numbers.

Please participate in this email campaign.