Blog Archives

For Those Concerned About Aircraft Noise

1/27/2019

Mahalo to one of our readers who forwarded the following website information. "Airnoise" is apparently a new website and application that allows you to file a complaint of aircraft noise directly with the appropriate air administration agency.

You can find detail about "Airnoise" at the following link. For the many who have commented on the increase in air noise on O'ahu, perhaps this may help.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/button-offers-instant-gratification-for-those-plagued-by-airplane-noise/2018/12/29/c1035d32-02e1-11e9-b5df-5d3874f1ac36_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.5847ac7a8633

We would appreciate feedback from anyone who tries this application/website.

A Quieter O'ahu

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Racing and Loud Noise in Parking Structures

1/27/2019

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COMMENT:
Aloha,

I am dealing with noise caused by loitering in the parking deck of 1680 Kapiolani Blvd. I live [nearby] and my unit faces Kapiolani. We are woken by loud music and racing inside the parking deck at 1-2am in the morning. We have called HPD about this many times. We have also contacted the Liquor Commission about it, but the issue is out of Hawaiian Brian's [where the noise makers visit] control - [we are told] it's the responsibility of the parking deck property manager. The area is patrolled by a security guard that is completely ineffective at his job - he wants to avoid confrontation so doesn't disperse the activities that create the noise. I just spoke with a representative from the Dept of Health and based on his recommendations we are going to begin documenting how often this is happening, the noise level as measured by our phones, who we called, and if our complaints were effective. I am considering taking this to our neighborhood board. I appreciate your recommendations on how to best manage this issue. An ideal outcome would be for the parking deck to be access controlled at night so that Hawaiian Brian's customers don't use it a party hangout. Mahalo.

Quieter O'ahu Response:
Aloha,
Your instinct to take this to your neighborhood board is probably your best option at this point. The neighborhood board organization is the lowest-level of elected city government and, as such, has the ability to interface across all of the agencies you have mentioned from HPD to Dept of Health, Liquor Commission, and others. The Dept of Health is also correct that you should document your calls with when, who called, complaint made, and results, if any. The neighborhood boards are becoming increasingly sensitive to the issue of noise in our community and your input would be valuable in informing them of yet another unacceptable instance of uncontrolled noise. Please let us know if you have success working with your board.

Mahalo,
Quieter O'ahu

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Unnecessary Road Construction Noise??

1/23/2019

2 Comments

Comment:
The county constructed a grate across Mamalu street to mitigate storm/rain water. Cars passing over the grate creates a very very loud “clanking” sound 24/7 every day. My 93 y.o mothers bedroom is close by. The entire neighborhood to extremely bothered by this noise pollution. It’s serious. As a first step, I have reached out to Council Member Fukunaga. This was three weeks ago. While I’m following up, we’re still waiting. Can we get some help from your org? I invite you to come over and see for yourselves. I’d be happy to send vids too. Thanks.

Quieter O'ahu Response:
Aloha,
I'm sure this is frustrating and annoying, particularly because your mother's quality of life is impacted. You have taken the right step in notifying your Council Member, Carol Fukunaga, and by following up. I would suggest that if you don't hear back from Council Member Fukunaga soon, that you phone her office and inquire after their actions in response to your email. Her office phone number is 808.768.5006.
Too, let us suggest that you email or phone your neighborhood board representatives. You are in District 14, Liliha/Alewa. Mamalu Street is in sub-district 2. Your sub-district 2 representatives are:
Wesley Fong - (sub-district 2 rep) who is also Chair of the Neighborhood Board, and
Brandon Mitsuda - (sub-district 2 rep) who is also Vice Chair of the Neighborhood Board.

These two actually live in your neighborhood and they would be your best-bet for action. From their roles in the Liliha/Alewa Neighborhood Board they can reach out directly to various Government agencies to find out how long this problem will continue, and in the interim whether there is any way to mitigate the noise. Their contact information is provided below. Good luck in finding a favorable resolution to this noise problem.

We have added you to distribution for future information on noise and related issues across O'ahu.

Wesley Fong: wesleyf.fong@hawaiiantel.net, Phone: 220-5266
Brandon Mitsuda: brandonmitsuda@yahoo.com, Phone: 387-0755

Mahalo,
Quieter O'ahu

2 Comments

Illegally Modified Exhausts Making Noise in Kaneohe

1/15/2019

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Comment:
I have lived here 25 years and have had it with the noise in Kaneohe, especially from my adjacent neighbors who have cars with altered exhausts and one with straight pipes. My entreaties to the DMV and police have gone nowhere over these years. At least one police officer is evidently friendly with the loud car owner because I've seen one over there admiring the illegal vehicle, not issuing a violation.

I have an decibel meter on my iPhone. I've measured to sound of the hot rod with straight pipes at 95 dB (A). The 2018 Mustang purred when it showed up a year ago. Within a month, the exhaust was altered so that it now produces 90dB (and probably more) and can be heard over 1/4 mile away.

I'm worn out by noise from cars, motorcycles, weed whackers, lawn blowers, fireworks, and VTOL aircraft, jets, and helicopters that can often be heard until late at night.

I'll let you know how my next and last jousting match with the police and DMV goes over these illegal cars. My days here are numbered.

Quieter O'ahu Response:
Aloha,
As you can probably tell from our web site we're in complete agreement. And you're right, HPD's record of enforcement of existing laws and statutes is no less than willful negligence. We recommend to neighborhood boards that they have their respective HPD District begin reporting each month to the neighborhood board how many noise and related citations are issued the previous month, and that the neighborhood boards hold HPD accountable for lack of enforcement when it is apparently the case. You might want to suggest to your Kaneohe Neighborhood Board that they do the same. Too, you have the right at neighborhood board meetings to ask the HPD representative WHY no citations have been issued after what appears to be numerous complaints on your part. Let them explain to you, your neighbors in attendance, and the neighborhood board why these obvious infractions aren't being cited.

Good luck on your crusade. We've added you to distribution list for noise and related information, and from time to time we will in the future begin email campaigns to our elected officials asking them WHY our laws go un-enforced day after day after day. Once elected officials understand that noise matters to O'ahu residents and that we will vote noise issues perhaps they will begin to act. We will also post your note, without name, to our blog so that others may benefit from your experience.

Mahalo,
Quieter O'ahu

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Quieter O'ahu Presents at the Waikiki Neighborhood Board

1/9/2019

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Our thanks to the Waikiki Neighborhood Board (NB) for their hospitality the evening of 8 January. Quieter O'ahu gave a short presentation about noise on O'ahu and across the state, current ordinances and statutes, general lack of enforcement, and provided several recommendation on how the NB organization could positively impact the noise problem. Thanks to Dr. Brian Bagnall of The Outdoor Circle and the newest Waikiki NB Board Member for the invitation. We hope we provided ideas that will enable the Waikiki NB to move forward. A special thanks, too, to the Waikiki resident attending the meeting who, despite our attempts to say "No," nonetheless insisted on making a contribution to the work of Quieter O'ahu with the comment that "...you can always use more stamps." It was a kind and gracious act and we are humbly appreciative. Mahalo nui loa! We'll be sure your donation is well invested!

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Yes, It Has Gotten Noisier!

1/4/2019

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Comment:

It truly is unbelievable that obvious violations of Hawaii's relevant laws seem to be totally ignored by agencies charged with enforcement. Compared with 10 years ago, it seems that there's more noise on our streets than ever. Surely, people who suffer from excessive noise outnumber the scofflaws.

Quieter O'ahu Response:

Thank you for your note. Yes, it is noisier than it was 10 years ago. We've been online for about that long and have seen the steady rise of noise in our environment. There are more illegally modified exhaust systems on motorcycles, mopeds, automobiles, and trucks; there are more illegally loud and powerful after-market stereo systems installed in vehicles; there is more gas-powered landscaping equipment in use; there is more construction - everywhere; and as we increasingly live closer together as the population increases, neighbors are noisier. And ironically, there are existing rules, ordinances and statutes in place today that, if enforced, would turn the tide on noise. But we do not have enforcement. In broad strokes, the Hawai'i Dept of Health has responsibility for enforcing commercial (including construction) and stationary activity noise; HPD has responsibility for enforcing residential and vehicular noise. But they don't. HPD places a very low priority on noise as evidenced by the simple metric of noise citations issued (when you can obtain that information, which is rare). The Dept of Health is essentially a no-show to the game.

Our website's goal is to provide information on the noise climate in O'ahu and across Hawai'i, identify the ordinances and statutes that "should" be protecting residents, and propose actions that could raise the visibility of the noise problem across the public conscience. Our email distribution list, which we use sparingly, is intended to inform of current noise issues, and, ultimately, we will begin identifying legislators who refuse to insist that responsible agencies become responsible a basic tenant of public trust. Our one common voice is our ballot, and that voice should be used to install legislators that WILL insist, and WILL make a real difference. Frankly, our entire lot of legislators today should all be ashamed of their records on noise control.

And yes, absolutely, the noise-makers are a small, small, minority and could be contained if our enforcers would do their jobs.

We have added you to our distribution (your name/email will not be shared) and we will post your comment (without attribution) to our blog. Thanks again for taking the time to drop a note.

Mahalo,
A Quieter O'ahu

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Take The Time To Comment

Let us know what you think. Are you tired of the noise? Do you have ideas on how to combat the noise? Tell us about it.

Also, use the "Contact A Quieter O'ahu" form (under "About Us" on the menu bar) to let us hear from you. We continue to compile email addresses of those interested in reclaiming quiet for our island to inform of noise and related issues of interest. From time to time Quieter O'ahu may recommend contacting City Council or the Legislator to make your feelings known on a particular noise or related Bill.

TOGETHER we can affect positive change.