Blog Archives

Neighbor With Loud Power Tools

11/27/2018

Comment:
Neighbor utilizing power tools, drills, saw, sanders etc to do auto body repair in their yard, Do I have a valid complaint?

Quieter O'ahu Response:

Aloha,
You probably do have a valid complaint. Power tools, and commercial grade power tools in particular, are excessively loud and require hearing protection when operating. If your home is close to this noise it is possible that you could experience health risks. Certainly it's worth the time to seek a qualified determination. Here's the link to our website where you'll find link to the current O'ahu Noise Reference Manual. https://www.quieteroahu.com/reporting-noise-violations.html

Take a look at page 12. There you you will find a section on noisy Neighbors and the several remedies to this problem. BUT, also take a look at the next section on Occupational Noise. Because your neighbor is using power tools to repair automobiles it is possibly subject to inspection by the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health agency (HIOSH). Although this agency primarily deals with employee complaints about noise, because your neighbor is performing this work from their home you may possibly fall under their coverage as well.

Mahalo,
Quieter O'ahu

0 Comments

Loud Auto and Truck Stereos in Waianae

11/27/2018

1 Comment

Comment:
Besides having a website, do you actively do anything to stop the use of boom boxes in cars and trucks? It is maddening in the Waianae area as well as other areas, too.

Quieter O'ahu Response:
Aloha,

Yes, we actively do things.
1) We provide information to the public concerning available laws concerning noise. For example, high-powered stereos in trucks and cars is covered by the "Prohibited Noise" ordinance. While a bit lengthy, believe it worthwhile to provide it below. It is a strongly worded, easy to understand, and it carries increasingly heavy penalties for violation. If you believe a driver is in violation of this ordinance, contact HPD and report - do not confront the suspected violator yourself. HPD will dispatch an officer and, if the officer determines there is an offense, will issue the appropriate citation. You can also make a follow-up call and ask if a citation was issued or not, and if not, why not.
2) We maintain a mailing list of residents interested in the noise problem and, from time to time, we let our mailing list subscribers know about pending or proposed noise legislation, good or bad, and encourage them to email their legislators and council representatives. Our goal is to have sufficient numbers on our mailing list that they will constitute a voting block against those elected representatives who refuse to take action against noise.
3) We appear as requested at Neighborhood Board meetings to spread information on noise topics of interest.
4) We actively report violations to appropriate authorities when we observe them.
5) And we try to do other things not necessarily under any one umbrella to quieten the noise around us.

You have been added to our mailing list and from time to time you may hear from us requesting your support of noise reduction initiatives.

Hawai'i Law - ROH Sec. 41-31.1    Prohibited Noise.
(a)     It is unlawful for any person or persons to play, use, operate or permit to be played, used or operated, any radio, tape recorder, cassette player or other machine or device for reproducing sound, if it is located in or on any of the following:
    (1)    Any public property, including any public street, highway, building, sidewalk, park or thoroughfare; or
    (2)    Any motor vehicle on a public street, highway or public space; and if the sound generated is audible at a distance of 30 feet from the device producing the sound.
(b)     Possession by a person or persons of any of the machines or devices enumerated in subsection (a) shall be prima facie evidence that person operates, or those persons operate, the machine or device.
(Added by Ord. 90-26)
Sec. 41-31.2    Enforcement.
(a)     Powers of Arrest or Citation. Any authorized police officer shall issue a citation for any violation under this article, except they may arrest for instances when:
    (1)    The alleged violator refuses to provide the officer with such person's name and address and any proof thereof as may be reasonably available to the alleged violator.
    (2)    When the alleged violator refuses to cease such person's illegal activity after being issued a citation.
(b)     Citation.
    (1)    There shall be provided for use by authorized police officers, a form of citation for use in citing violators of this article which does not mandate physical arrest of such violators. The form and content of such citation shall be as adopted or prescribed by the administrative judge of the district court and shall be printed on a form commensurate with the form of other citations used in modern methods of arrest, so designed to include all necessary information to make the same valid within the laws and regulations of the State of Hawaii and the City and County of Honolulu.
    (2)    In every case when a citation is issued, a copy of the same shall be given to the violator.
    (3)    Every citation shall be consecutively numbered and each carbon copy shall bear the name of its respective original.
(Added by Ord. 90-26)
Sec. 41-31.3    Violation--Penalty.
    Any person convicted of a violation of the provisions of this article shall be punished by a fine of $100.00 for the first offense, $500.00 for the second offense within six months of the first offense, and $1,000.00, or forfeiture of the sound system or components of the sound system up to $1,000.00 in value, or a combination of forfeiture and fine to total $1,000.00 for conviction of the third offense within one year of the first offense. (Added by Ord. 90-26)

Mahalo,
Quieter O'ahu

1 Comment

Still More Construction Noise in Waikiki

11/27/2018

0 Comments

Comment:

On Kalakaua Ave to the South of the Hyatt Parkade there is a construction project in which a standby power generator is running 24 hrs per day. The constant noise from that generator is so annoying. It is akin to the type of noise used in psychological warfare. Also, I am staying 2 blocks away and on the 12th floor of my hotel and I can feel the vibrations from that generator in the floor. Surely this cannot be good for structural integrity! I wonder if it is not installed correctly. One would think it would be better sound and vibration proofed, especially in a densely populated area such as Waikiki. Also, the emissions from this diesel unit running 24/7 cannot be good for air quality. Can you please do something. At least have someone check on the operation and installation of this unit?

Quieter O'ahu Response:

Aloha,

We share in your frustration. And we do make complaints to the appropriate enforcement agency when we encounter noise issues. In this case, however, it is best that someone directly affected, who therefore has standing to make the complaint, contact the enforcement agency.

First, here is a link to our website where you can find a current copy of the O'ahu Noise Reference Manual: https://www.quieteroahu.com/reporting-noise-violations.html
At page 8 you will find a brief discussion covering permissible construction noise, allowable hours for construction, required permits, and contact number to report violations. Specifically, the number for the Department of Health Noise Section is 586-4700. Their full contact information is also on our website but we'll provide for you below.

Hawai'i Department of Health Contact Information:
Indoor and Radiological Health Branch
99-945 Halawa Valley Street
Aiea, HI 96701
Phone: (808) 586-4700
Fax: (808) 586-5838
Hours: Monday – Friday 7:45am – 4:30pm (except for State holidays)
Jeffrey Eckerd, Program Manager (jeffrey.eckerd@doh.hawaii.gov)

Mahalo,
Quieter O'ahu

0 Comments

Anti-Noise Advocates in Makiki??

11/27/2018

0 Comments

Comment:

I'd love to join with others who want to work on noise issues in lower Makiki.

Quieter O'ahu Response:

If there's anyone in Makiki who would like to chat with this submitter about noise problems in Makiki please shoot us an email. We'll pass your email/text info along.

Mahalo,
Quieter O'ahu

0 Comments

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.