Comment
Please tell me how I can participate in making the change to quieter neighborhoods. And if possible, explain why these people that drive loud motorcycles or cars do not realize the harm and stress their causing others.
Quieter O'ahu
Oct 12 (1 day ago)
Mahalo for taking the time to drop us a note.
To your first question, be a vocal advocate for ENFORCEMENT of our current extensive number of noise statutes and ordinances that are already on the books (many of these are enumerated on our website). Every neighborhood board allows time for residents to speak to the board and others in attendance at scheduled meetings. Just send an email to your specific neighborhood representative (our website has links to the boards where representative names and emails can be found) asking to be added to the agenda as a speaker. At each neighborhood board meeting there will be State Representatives and/or Senators, a representative from the Office of the Mayor, your councilperson, and representatives from HPD. Even if you're only allotted two minutes your statement can be as simple as (use your own words - this is just an example) "I'm here to express my concern as a resident to the continuing and escalating noise in our neighborhood from motorcycles and cars - noise for the most part resulting from illegal modifications to mufflers or exhaust systems. I'm requesting that this board, and the various representatives of HPD, Mayor's Office, and other representatives, begin to address this issue in earnest. And the BEST way to begin doing so is to begin enforcing the many ordinances and statutes that have already been enacted for our protection, but which are not being enforced today." Simple, the point, and it will begin to attract attention. If folks at EVERY neighborhood board meeting would do that, the problem would gain visibility and shining a light on the problem like that is what we need to see more of.
Why do people make noise? There are many reasons. None that would justify this bad behavior. Psychologists write books addressing some people's need for attention, and whether the attention is positive of negative doesn't matter - it feeds a need to stand-out and be recognized. In many cases they're mimicking behavior of peers. These are personal issues far too deep to address here. But for the most part, people do it just because they can. Not unlike a child who acts-out in defiance or frustration and who, until re-focused or otherwise disciplined, will continue to do so, with the acting-out becoming progressively worse.
Mahalo for your note,
A Quieter O'ahu
Oct 17 2016
Mahalo nui loa for your rapid and thorough responses. Also thank you for providing good information pertaining to the noise issue. I cannot believe we have regulations for it and still I hear so many people breaking the law outside of my home. I will look into attending the neighborhood meetings to voice my concern.
Have a good rest of the weekend.
Aloha,