12/12/2011:  You never know what you're going to find going on at the Hawaii Legislature.  While scanning legislative actions A Quieter O'ahu came across H.R. 45 "Requesting the study and adoption of a 95-Decibel limit to measure muffler and vehicular noise."  You can click HERE to read H.R. 45 in its current form, and to track its status.  Upshot of the resolution is to request that the Hawaii Dept of Transportation "study" enactment of legislation setting noise limit for mufflers atThis seems on its face to be yet another example of how little our legislators know about noise and noise measurement.  95dB(a) is loud.  If you check A Quieter O'ahu's noise table HERE you'll see that between 90dB(a) and 100dB(a) is considered dangerous for prolonged exposure, and that no more than 15 minutes of unprotected exposure is recommended.   In common terms, 95dB(a) is the sound level you would experience standing beside gas-powered lawnmower or a farm tractor.  95dB(a) is also approximately 3 times louder than recommended under EPA guidelines.  You have to wonder who are legislators are listening to when they come up with these numbers, or if they're just making them up as they go along. 
    It doesn't appear that H.R. 45 had any traction in the 26th Legislature, but it bears watching to see what happens next.   Incidentally, this resolution was introduced by Representative Tom Brower, District 23 - Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kakaako.  If you'd like to send your thoughts to Rep Brower, click HERE to launch an email form with his email address filled-in.  There's no doubt that Rep Brower's proposed resolution is well-intended, but A Quieter O'ahu believes he should be proposing the our Dept of Transportation explore standards imposed by other municipalities that bases offenses on the "Plainly Audible Standard" instead of an arbitrary and vague Decibel limit - which HPD is on record stating they cannot enforce.   Simply put, the "Plainly Audible Standard" says that if a source of noise can be heard (and it's not necessary that they be able to discern the words of a songs lyrics) or beyond a certain distance it is a violation of the ordinance or statute.   In some cities stereos that than be heard beyond 25 feet are in violation.  Our own Honolulu Revised Statute 41-31.1"Prohibited Noise" say beyond 30 feet for stereos is a violation.  We could easily adopt the same standard for automobiles and motorcycles that says anything audible beyond 50 feet is a violation.  So simple.  But already we have Council Member Gabbard trying to EXTEND the noise limit of 41-31.1 from 30 feet to 100 feet as we commented on in an early post.  Again, how can ANYONE think it's OK for people to have stereos than can be heard 100 feet away and still be legal????  Just incredible.
    It's clear that we need effective legislation to curb noise, but we already have several statutes and ordinances now that simply aren't being enforced.  One message to our City Council members and legislators should be to engage with HPD for more and more effective enforcement of current ROHs and HRSs.
    What do you think?  Take a moment and comment on this post.

11/02/2011:  Obnoxiously loud vehicles: WTF?  By Trevor Zakov, Staff Writer.
O‘ahu seems to be rather accommodating of the large population of motorcycle and scooter drivers and their unique needs. The roads are shared, and this vast mix of motorized vehicles of various sizes forces all drivers on the road to be even more careful and mindful of the smaller motorists.
Those who drive cars are at a clear advantage, not only in size, but also in sheer mass and – most importantly – the mitigated risks involved for the driver in case of an accident. In comparison, those motorists who drive scooters or motorcycles are exposing themselves to higher risk factors because in the case of an accident, these drivers do not benefit from having a steel frame to absorb the energy from an impact or collision.
Opinions diverge regarding how motorcycles and scooters should better protect themselves on the road by utilizing loud engines, horns, or bright lights. The term "pipes save lives" is used by many motorcycle enthusiasts to defend the argument that their super loud engines serve to notify nearby car drivers that there is a motorcycle approaching.
Some motorcycle drivers prefer "hogs," while others choose "crotch rockets" or other large, motorized engines that emit noises which reverberate for miles around. Hogs are typically identified as Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and these have a cult following. It is safe to say that most of us have witnessed a caravan or parade of Harley-Davidsons, sometime, somewhere. These drivers absolutely love to rev their engines. Why? What do these drivers accomplish by forcing people to cover their ears in pain and setting off car alarms from the high decibel-level vibrations?
Not to single out Harley-Davidson owners, but perhaps these people drive their motorcycles for a more Machiavellian reason. These are not the top reasons why a ‘hog' motorcycle driver buys their noisy motorcycle: it has real transportation and hauling utility, it handles very well, or the motorcycle is undeniably unique. Instead, the drivers probably buy and drive their motorcycle aimlessly around town and sometimes even across the country because they get a chance to interrupt and annoy other people's lives. The worst part is that these people know they are demanding negative attention and they like it.
Drivers of loud vehicles, including super decked-out cars, have the opportunity to rev their engines when they first start the vehicle and at every intersection thereafter. People with loud vehicles have a field day when they have to wait at a red light; they can rev their engines all day. High gas prices? These people single handedly fund the oil industry with all the gas they waste making loud engine noises.
Crotch rockets, as well as ‘souped-up' cars, are the biggest offenders for noise pollution. These motorized vehicles are designed to deliver very few specs: accelerate fast, run even faster and make immense amounts of noise throughout. For those of us who could care less about fast and loud vehicles, the deafening noise associated with these vehicles is downright repulsive.
Crotch rocket drivers and pimped-out car drivers frequently epitomize the stereotypical situation where they rev their engines at a red traffic light, then floor the gas like drag racers when a red light turns green. The following moments of agonizingly loud and obnoxious engine noises and gear shifting is best situated for a race track, where people actually pay to see a vehicular competition, and not on a public street, where people just want to commute and not be bothered.
Perhaps due to O‘ahu's hillsides and valleys, the way the noise from these loud engines carries is as impressive as the island itself. Those who side with the loud motor vehicles must admit, if not to anyone else then at least to themselves, there has been a time when they were sleeping, taking a nap or in the middle of a conversation and were rudely interrupted by a passing loud vehicle – and in that moment cursed loud engines for how obnoxious they really are.

Link to the full article, where you can also add your thoughts and comments, by clicking HERE.