Helicopter Noise in Makiki

2/12/2019

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

3 Comments

Jeanne Herbert

3/2/2019 01:00:14 pm

I checked out the website for airnoise but they do not operate in Hawaii. I sent them a request to expand to our area. Is there some other way to report air noise? The helicopters are deafening in the Kapiolani Park and Diamond Head area.

Quieter O'ahu

3/2/2019 03:57:36 pm

Quieter O'ahu Comment:
We have also contacted Airnoise and asked that they expand their service to Hawai'i. Lacking that, your remaining alternative is to contact the FAA and/or the Hawai'i Dept of Transportation. You may be surprised to hear that the FAA doesn't usually respond to complaints of sound noise, only low flying aircraft. You can find numbers for FAA and DOT in the current version of the O'ahu Noise Reference Manaual, Page 6, at this link: https://health.hawaii.gov/irhb/files/2017/08/noiserefoahu.pdf

Quieter O'ahu

3/2/2019 04:11:49 pm

Quieter O'ahu Follow-up Response:
There are two pieces of legislation now being considered dealing with aviation noise. These are
SB436: Requires the Department of Health, in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation, to conduct a study on the impacts of aviation noise on residents of the State. Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to conduct the study, and
SB1069: Establishes a tax credit for taxpayers who install a helicopter noise canceling technology system on a helicopter owned by the taxpayer and operated primarily within the State during the taxable year. Prohibits commercial flights of tour helicopters within one mile of a residential neighborhood between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday, or between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. on Sundays and holidays.

You can find status of these bills by going to our website at link below, and clicking on the bill. This will take you to the legislative page for that bill and show you the status, when and where hearings are being heard, and whether you can submit online testimony with your opinion of the bill. Ou link is:
https://www.quieteroahu.com/current-legislative-activity.html

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

Helicopter Noise in Makiki

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