Comment:
Nightly I am jolted out of bed around at any time between 3AM-5AM due to the loud back-up alarm sound of a garbage truck followed up what sounds like explosion sounds of the garbage truck dropping large garbage containers on the ground. I have contacted the Honolulu Disposal Company and the Department of Health. The Dept of Health says they have no jurisdiction. The company actually responsible for their trucks pretty much couldn't give any information. I am going crazy. They woke me up at 3:34AM this evening and I can't get back to sleep. Is there anything to be done? I am going to need to move.
Quieter O'ahu Response:
Aloha,
We have heard MANY similar stories about the trauma caused by these early morning (and sometimes middle of the night) back-up alarms. Combined with the crash of containers being dropped it really is a problem for many island residents. One of our website followers shared with us that they actually tried to file suit against the collection company, but the suit was dismissed before even getting to court because the company showed they were in compliance with city and county laws requiring this type of warning device on their vehicles. See page 15 under Warning Devices in the Noise Reference Manual for the position of the Dept of Health.
As you'll see, the Dept of Health defaults to contacting the company with your complaint, but we've seen that is not usually effective or, if effective, then only for a short time and they return to their old ways. In this case your idea of relocating might be your only option, or a good set of ear plugs.
Quieter O'ahu
Nightly I am jolted out of bed around at any time between 3AM-5AM due to the loud back-up alarm sound of a garbage truck followed up what sounds like explosion sounds of the garbage truck dropping large garbage containers on the ground. I have contacted the Honolulu Disposal Company and the Department of Health. The Dept of Health says they have no jurisdiction. The company actually responsible for their trucks pretty much couldn't give any information. I am going crazy. They woke me up at 3:34AM this evening and I can't get back to sleep. Is there anything to be done? I am going to need to move.
Quieter O'ahu Response:
Aloha,
We have heard MANY similar stories about the trauma caused by these early morning (and sometimes middle of the night) back-up alarms. Combined with the crash of containers being dropped it really is a problem for many island residents. One of our website followers shared with us that they actually tried to file suit against the collection company, but the suit was dismissed before even getting to court because the company showed they were in compliance with city and county laws requiring this type of warning device on their vehicles. See page 15 under Warning Devices in the Noise Reference Manual for the position of the Dept of Health.
As you'll see, the Dept of Health defaults to contacting the company with your complaint, but we've seen that is not usually effective or, if effective, then only for a short time and they return to their old ways. In this case your idea of relocating might be your only option, or a good set of ear plugs.
Quieter O'ahu