Loud Helicopters Over Waikiki

Comment:

Hi Quieter Oahu,
I am a resident of the Kapahulu neighborhood and over the past two years I have observed noisy helicopter traffic getting worse and worse. It used to be that the occasional helicopter would fly along the coastline of Waikiki, but in recent months the frequency of helicopters buzzing Waikiki beach has increased drastically, sometimes three helicopters call all be seen from the beach at the same time! 

Now these helicopters are flying directly over our neighborhood at all hours of the day, and it is extremely irritating. This past Friday, we had a helicopter circling over our house AT NIGHT!! It was a new "fireworks tour" being offered by one of the helicopter companies. 

This HAS to stop. Do you have any experience dealing with helicopter issues? I did some research online and found your site. There also is an active group on Big Island called HiCOP (http://www.hicop.org/) that seeks to curb helicopter noise there. 

I am interested in connecting with others to stop this incessant noise pollution. Please let me know if you would be willing to take on this issue.
Mahalo,

Quieter O'ahu:

Aloha,
We, too, have seen an uptick in the number of reports of loud helicopters.  Seems the primary areas are from Waikiki out to Hanauma Bay where they buzz the Hawaii Kai neighborhood as part of their East Oahu/Koko Crater/Hanauma Bay tours.  I've attached a copy of the O'ahu Noise Reference Manual.  Although dated 2008, it is still the current version.  We recommend three approaches for helicopter/aircraft noise.  At page 6 of the Reference Manual you'll find numbers for the FCC and the Hawai'i Department of Transportation, Aircraft Division (DOTA).  Both accept reports about aircraft - from a "safety of flight" perspective - they will tell you they don't regulate noise.  But safety of flight rules stipulate that aircraft, and I believe this includes helicopters, operate at not less than 1000 feet over congested areas.  I believe Waikiki qualifies as "congested."  Third, living in Waikiki you're fortunate that you have a very active Neighborhood Board.  You can find your board representatives at this link: http://www.honolulu.gov/cms-nco-menu/site-nco-featured/191-site-nco-cat/682-test.html .  The Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights Board No. 5 meets the 2d Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Ala Waitlist Clubhouse, 2d Floor, 404 Kapahulu Avenue.  Recommend you contact your board and identify this issue for discussion at board meetings.  They can invite reps from the FCC and DOTA to respond to citizen questions, and is you most accessible level of Gov't to address this very valid grievance.  I believe you'll find others attending who are similarly like-minded on the issue of helicopters.

We will post you input, minus identifying info, for others to read and comment to.  We will also add your provided email address to our distribution for noise and related information that we periodically disseminate.  You can unsubscribe at any time.

Good luck on carrying forward.  Please update us should you find allies or other paths of approach.

Mahalo,
A Quieter O'ahu