Blog Archives

Hawai'i Study On Urban Noise - Something To Watch and Track!

2/25/2019

New page added, "Legislation To Watch" under Hawai'i Noise Laws. Both the House and Senate in 2018 offered concurrent resolutions, HCR72 and SCR61, for a study of urban noise by the Department of Health.

We've posted full text of the resolution for your reading pleasure. We all need to get behind this study and ensure that it is done correctly and that appropriate recommendations from the study don't fall through the cracks. Definitely a "MUST WATCH" if you're concerned about noise on O'ahu and across the State. Link to the new page HERE.

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Really Loud People On Windward Beaches - Where's The Aloha For Others?

2/24/2019

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Comment:
I'm so glad I came across your site! I thought I was the only one around here who is so sick and tired of all the constant noise on this island.

I live on the windward side in a complex that is near Kamehameha highway. The traffic noise on the road is horrible but I've learned how to tune it out. I'm fortunate to be closer to the beach side but I have some questions about noise enforcement on beaches-

Is there a certain time of the day when noise is supposed to be enforced on the beach? There are many tourists who stay at the complex next door and seem to lose all sense of time when they are on vacation. They will walk on the beach early in the morning to catch the sunrise and you can hear their kids screaming and yelling as they run around in excitement, despite the sun not even being out yet. There are also times at night when people are on the beach making noise. Enforcement is difficult out here since the only police department is in Kahuku and they are handling situations that happen between Kaaawa and North Shore.

I get that it's the beach and people want to have fun but there are also people residing in the buildings on these beaches who also have a right to their peace of mind. Security in our building can't enforce noise that's on the beach either- what can we do when things get too loud? Even though there's no public beach access at the building I live in, many people, locals and tourists, still trespass either through our parking lot or through the church next door. I understand kids are kids but there are also people who work all sorts of different hours of the day and need to sleep. It's often too hot to close all of the windows to tune out sound as well.

Second thing is that there's a church right next door to my building and almost every Saturday, around 6:30-7:00 in the morning, someone is already out there for 3-4 hours at a time mowing the lawn. Is that allowed?

Thank you for running this site!!

Quieter O'ahu Response:
Aloha,

I REALLY wish I could provide some good news, but in this case, don't think I can. Where there's a beach in Hawai'i there's noise. Fact of living in a tourist-oriented paradise. I could cite the Department of Health's administrative rules on established day and nighttime noise levels, they're posted on our site under "the quiet you're entitled to" but that would possibly raise your hopes that something might be done and, regrettably, it won't be. At least not now. We are increasing our lobbying of city council and the legislature for greater enforcement of existing noise ordinances and statutes by HPD, and also trying to make everyone more sensitive to the increasing noise everywhere. Every additional person that we add to our mailing list - and we'll be adding you - is potentially one more email in our upcoming email campaigns to city council and state legislature outlining the problems of noise here on O'ahu and across the state and asking, as a voting block, for action on this important issue.

Thanks for the note, and while we perhaps couldn't help this time, at least you have our empathy. We hate it, too. We will share your thoughts on our noise blog for the benefit of others, without your identifying information of course.

Mahalo,
Quieter O'ahu

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From TEDMED Videos - Why Noise Is Bad For Your Health And What You Can Do About It

2/24/2019

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For those unaware, TED is Technology, Entertainment, and Design - TEDMED is the medical component of TED.

A regular site visitor shared this video - a really MUST SEE. A great lecture on the effects of noise on health. After viewing, take the time to share with family and friends - and maybe city council and legislators!!

Why Noise Is Bad For Your Health And What You Can Do About It

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Insane Noise In Waikiki - And HPD: Tickets For Pets - Nothing For Noise!!

2/23/2019

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Comment:
I live in the Wailana Condo at 1860 Ala Moana and as a new Condo owner I ave been shocked by the incredible, constant, level of never ending 24 hours a day noise pollution—-I am blasted by shrieking sirens at least (averaged during the past four days) 20 to 30 times a day. Cars seem to use the streets in front of my condo as a speed and loudest exhaust playground 24 hours a day. Motorcycles rip up and down the street at all hours of the day and night. I am kept awake all night long by this incredible noise pollution.

I think this is the most noise polluted place I have ever experienced in my life—-I am actually shocked at the lack of control of this noise pollution in a modern American City!

This is a backward thinking/acting city in many many ways—-it allows all sorts of noise pollution not allowed in almost any average American City and likewise does not allow you to walk your dog in almost any of it’s parks—-WHAT! How many cities/towns do not allow you to walk your on-lease dog in the park. I was at the Blow Hole lookout the other day and was told by a police officer that my on-leash dog needed to stay in the car or I would receive a $500.00 citation. Really!! What sort of backward thinking allows this crazy on one hand lack of controlling ordnance’s as well as Silly restrictive/draconian restrictions on experiencing a happy and fulfilling life with your canine pets?

Quieter O'ahu Response:
Aloha,

Couldn't have written your note better ourselves. And, of course, you're spot-on with your observations. We hear from MANY Waikiki residents about the noise onslaught and there's a large ground-swell in your area that I believe is about to take this bull by its horns.

Let me earnestly recommend that you attend the next, and successive, Waikiki Neighborhood Board meeting. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at the Waikiki Community Center located at 310 Paoakalani Avenue at 7:00pm. A recently elected member of the board, Dr. Brian Bagnall, is a STRONG Waikiki anti-noise activist and having recently been seated on the board believe this will become a high priority for them. He is also President of the Waikiki Branch of The Outdoor Circle. Strongly urge you to add your voice at your neighborhood board meetings. And please, Tell Brian you were referred by Quieter O'ahu!

We have added you to distribution for emails on the topic of noise and related issues. We will also post your comments to our noise blog, without your name, to benefit others.

Mahalo,
A Quieter O'ahu

P.S. - Totally agree with your pet comments as well!!

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New Yorkers Ponder A Quieter Siren For Emergency Vehicles

2/22/2019

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Good article to stimulate thought. Do we really need sirens that are so disruptive? New York residents are considering an alternative. Click link to read the article.

Which Blare Project: New Yorkers Ponder Switch To Gentler Sirens - The Guardian

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Helicopter Noise in Makiki

2/12/2019

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Comment:
Helicopters are noticeably flying between 300 and 400 feet in the Makiki area. Not only is this loud but also potentially hazardous. Being that low doesn't give a pilot much reaction time should anything go wrong with the helicopter.

Quieter O'ahu Response:Aloha,

Thanks for your note. Yes, helicopters are among our greatest air-offenders. The continuing increase in tourism and the quick profits are encouraging this business and we expect to see it only get worse.

That said, we've posted on our website a new application/site that assists the difficult process of reporting aircraft noise. You can visit their website at https://www.airnoise.io, read about their service, and determine if this is something that might assist you in reporting helicopter noise. If you find it helpful, please let us know and we'll post your evaluation of this service.

Mahalo,
Quieter O'ahu

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Remembering Citizens Against Noise

2/5/2019

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Comment:
My [relative] Dorothy Hazzard was a VISTA volunteer with Citizens against Noise here back in 1974 or 1975. I support your efforts

Quieter O'ahu Response:
Aloha,

I remember Citizens Against Noise!! A great group who broke ground on standing the line against unwelcome noise intrusion into our quality of life. Thank you for your support.

Please take the time to check out our new page at link below with current legislative actions and if you see an issue of particular interest please take the time to submit your support for or opposition to and your comments/testimony. As you know, we have to be vocal for the legislature to hear us.

https://www.quieteroahu.com/current-legislative-activity.html

Mahalo,
Quieter O'ahu

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Quieter O'ahu Engages In Noise Discussion on ThinkTech Hawai'i "Out And About"

2/1/2019

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Comment:

Quieter O'ahu was invited, along with Dr. Brian Bagnall of the Waikiki Branch of The Outdoor Circle, to appear on ThinkTech Hawai'i on the "Out And About" Show hosted by Winston Welch. We thank Winston for the invitation.

You can view the show by click on the following ThinkTech Out And About Show link.

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SB1069 RELATING TO REDUCTION OF NOISE FROM HELICOPTER OPERATIONS. Your Testimony Needed

2/1/2019

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COMMENT:

SB1069 is now making its rounds through the hearings process. A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, 6 February at 10:00 at the State Capitol in conference room 211. If you feel strongly about aircraft noise, this is a must-attend meeting. The bill is also now open to public testimony. You can read the bill and submit online testimony by clicking HERE.

Your online submission of testimony could be as simple as saying "I support the imposition of restrictions on commercial tour helicopter operations" to further elaboration recommending that there be penalties associated with violations - there presently are no penalties outlined in the draft bill.

Your testimony would be VERY helpful in moving this bill forward, and ensuring that YOUR input is heard.

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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.