BLOG - Current O'ahu Noise Issues

The Mosquito System - Noise To Discourage Loitering

6/27/2019

Comment:

I've noticed two places on Oahu using anti-loitering devices called mosquito alarms.

They output loud chirps that are too high-pitched for most adults to hear, meaning its targeted towards children and teenagers, but I can hear them and it's incredibly irritating. (I'm in my 30s).

So far I've heard them at Walgreens Keeamoku and at the Waikiki Aston, you can hear them across the street as far as a block away.

Not sure if there's anything that can be done to stop these.

Quieter O'ahu Response:

Sorry for delayed response. Wanted to look into the ins and outs of the Mosquito System before responding.

Must admit you've caught us off-guard in the sense that this is the first contact we've had discussing this form of noise - and, from all literature - it is intended to be noise, an anti-loitering noise, targeting younger people.

For the benefit of others who may read this, human hearing, generally, is from 20Hz - 20,000Hz/20kHz. The mosquito system operates two tones: a -3dBFS steady ton at 17.4 kHz and its modulated version, oscillating between 17kHz and 20kHz, 3 times per second. We found an excellent test where both of these tones can be played to determine whether a person can detect this sound or not at https://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_mosquito.php . Because these signals are at the upper limit of the normal range of human hearing in the mid HF Band, adults of a certain age, let's use over 30 as an example, normally wouldn't hear them.

We looked through current noise legislation and find nothing that would prohibit the use of these systems, though arguably there are ethical questions about a system that targets a particular demographic in such a invasive manner.

We recommend that you contact the Hawai'i State Dept of Health, Noise Branch, and ask if there is any State regulation governing the use of these systems. Their contact info is below. We would also appreciate your letting us know if you find more. For our part we will post your note (without identifying information) and our reply and ask our blog visitors if they have any information to share.

Phone: (808) 586-4700
Fax: (808) 586-5838
Hours: Monday – Friday 7:45am – 4:30pm (except for State holidays)
Jeffrey Eckerd, Program Manager (jeffrey.eckerd@doh.hawaii.gov)

We have also added you to distribution for noise and related info that we from time to time share.

Mahalo,
Quieter O'ahu

NOTE TO OUR VISITORS: If you have any information to share regarding regulatory standards for this use of the Mosquito System please let us know using our Contact Form. Mahalo.

HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL PASSES BILLS 85 AND 89 TO RESTRICT TEMPORARY VACATION RENTALS.

6/22/2019

Commentary:

On Monday, 17 June, the Honolulu city Council voted on bills 85 and 89. These two pieces of legislation focus on restricting temporary vacation rentals across O'ahu, and impose steep fines for violators. Both bills were passed by the City Council. Because of many similarities between the two bills, they will likely be merged into a single piece of restrictive legislation prior to implementation. It will then fall to the office/department of housing and zoning to begin enforcing this new legislation.

A big win for reducing the loud noise, traffic, and disruption to quality of life that these temporary vacation rentals were bringing into residential neighborhoods across the island.

Quieter O'ahu heard from many subscribers who indicated their intent to provide testimony on these important Bills. Many others indicated their intent to appear in person for testimony. Mahalo to all who made their voices heard.

Special Hearing on Bills 85 and 89 Restricting Vacation Rentals 17 June - Your Voice is Needed!!

6/15/2019

Quieter O'ahu Commentary:

Two Bills, 85 and 89, have been introduced to restrict unlawful vacation rentals in our neighborhoods. We have commented on these bills elsewhere in this Blog should you desire additional background.

A special hearing has been set for Monday, 17 June, at 10:00 in City Council chambers at 530 S. King Street, Honolulu.

Following is a sampling of postings across various social media from proponents of these illegal rentals that bring disruption and NOISE to our neighborhoods. They are mobilizing to have maximum presence at this hearing. Too, it would be reasonable to assume that money, a lot of money, is being liberally donated to campaign coffers by special interests to see these Bills defeated.

QUOTE
Aloha, This is a critical moment to protect alternative accommodations on Oahu. The Honolulu City Council is holding a special hearing this Monday, June 17, to vote on restrictive short-term rental Bills 85 and 89. This is expected to be the last hearing on these bills - we’re running out of time to speak up. These bills would completely ban vacation rentals and severely limit B&Bs, devastating Oahu’s economy and hurting hosts like you who depend on the extra income to make ends meet. Join your fellow hosts at the hearing to voice your opposition to Bills 85 and 89. RSVP When: Monday, June 17 at 10am Where: City Council Chamber 530 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813 As we continue to push for fair and sensible short-term rental rules on Oahu, we want to thank you for being one of the most passionate and active STR communities in the world. We look forward to seeing you there.You can access the City Council's page below where you can register to speak at this hearing of submit testimony online to be read into the record.
UNQUOTE

Now is the time for YOU to speak up if you do not want these rentals next door. This special meeting may well be the last to be held before voting on these two Bills, so this could be your last chance.

Click HERE for Honolulu City Council page 1) For additional information about the hearing, 2) Register to speak at the hearing or 3) Submit online testimony regarding either or both of these two Bills.

Congressman Ed Case, Hawai'i 1st District, Asks For Assistance Against Growing Aircraft Noise and Safety Threat

6/11/2019

Continuing his prior engagement against noisy tour helicopters and other low flying aircraft, Congressman Ed Case, Hawai'i 1st District, has written a letter to Waikiki Neighborhood Board member, Dr. Brian Bagnall. Dr. Bagnall has shared this letter with Quieter O'ahu. In his letter Congressman Case is asking that ALL of the 32 Neighborhood Boards, provide him their UNITED ASSISTANCE in combatting tour helicopter and low flying aircraft noise, and imposing stricter safety standards for their operation.

You can read/download his letter below, but in essence he is asking that each neighborhood board:
Quote
I need your help. The tour operators claim their operations are not of any real concern to our communities. From listening to our communities statewide, I know this to be untrue. But I need the kokua of each of Oahu's 32 Boards to confirm for each of your neighborhoods that this is a major issue that you want addressed.

Could you please consider passing a Board resolution expressing your community's concerns with tour helicopter operations and your urging that your federal, state and county governments take all steps necessary to address community safety and disruption concerns through substantially increased regulation?
Unquote

What YOU can do:
1) Provide this information and a copy of this letter to your representative on your neighborhood board and ask for their support in passing the requested resolution.
2) Speak out at your neighborhood board meeting in favor of this requested resolution
3) Email the Mayor, your City Council Representative, and your State Senators and Representatives requesting their support in removing these sources of noise and threats to public safety. Provide a copy of the letter which can be downloaded below.

Use the following Links to find:
The Mayor
Find your State Representative
Find your State Senator
Find your City Council Representative

Mahalo,
A Quieter O'ahu

Congressman Ed Case, Hawai'i 1st District, Endorses Action Against Growing Aircraft Noise and Safety Threat

5/23/2019

Opinion:

In a letter dated 21 May 2019 and addressed to O'ahu Neighborhood Boards, Congressman Ed Case applauded the activity of the Neighborhood Boards system, and encouraged continued participation by board members and the neighborhoods at large.

In addition, Congressman Case took the opportunity to discuss the problem with aircraft on O'ahu. Quoting from his letter

"There is one issue that I have already heard from you loud and clear throughout all of O'ahu, and that is the rapidly worsening safety risks and community disruptions caused by tour helicopters and other small aircraft. Even before the tragic crash just weeks ago of a tour helicopter into a residential neighborhood of Kailua, it was clear that these risks and impacts were not acceptable and that the helicopter and other aircraft owners and operators did not have any real intention of addressing community concerns voluntarily. Please be very sure of my full commitment to taking any and all actions necessary to address this widespread risk and disruption and restoring safety and peace to our neighborhoods islandwide. I will email you separately on this major issue shortly with a summary of where I believe we are and what we should do together."

Quieter O'ahu applauds this statement from Congressman Case on this statewide noise and safety issue. Everyone should now watch to see how Congressman Case uses his congressional position to work with the FAA and State representatives to translate these words into meaningful action to mitigate or eliminate the tour helicopter and small plane problem.

Do Something About The Commercial Vehicle Backup Alarms/Beepers

5/19/2019

Comment:
Aloha,

Are there any efforts to end the nuisance from backup beepers, especially from construction or agricultural vehicles?

It is ridiculous that these have to go off all day long indefinitely, on top of the usual noise & air pollution from heavy duty vehicles. Smarter technology exists that uses unidirectional/white noise to alert anyone behind the vehicle but not the entire neighborhood. In fact, the State required that the Rail project use this technology due to overnight work.

Since the "required" beepers stem from Federal guidelines regarding worker safety, I believe the best approach would be updating the State's Occupational Safety & Health regulations to make them more stringent than the federal government, requiring a worker spotter or unidirectional/white noise (but no longer the status quo beepers). Probably needs to start with State legislature or Mayor's office.

I live on Maui, but my understanding is that the State would be the place to change this, not the County.

Mahalo,
Wailuku, HI

Quieter O'ahu Response:

Aloha,

Yes, there is legislative activity on the topic of backup alarms. Current HB128, introduced by Representative Linda Ichiyama, has been referred to 3 committees for review. The main tenets of this legislation are:

-Prohibits the use of audible reverse warning systems on vehicles operating in residential zones, except between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
-Requires operators of vehicles equipped with an audible reverse warning system to reverse the vehicle only when another person is available to direct the vehicle's reversing.
-Prohibits the use of motor vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more from operating in residential zones, except between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
-Subjects violators to a fine of up to $1,000

The committees that HB128 was referred to after passing first reading are Health (HLT), Transportation (TRN), and Judiciary (JUD). Next step for the Bill would be reports from these committees, although hearings are not yet scheduled so this legislation could be stalled or dead. You might want to email Rep Ichiyama at repichiyama@Capitol.hawaii.gov and inquire about its status, and make any recommendations you may have on this Bill.

You can also monitor status of this and other noise-related legislation on our website at https://www.quieteroahu.com/current-legislative-activity.html . On our Legislative Activity page clicking on the Bill number in blue will link you to the legislative page showing the Bill's current status.

Thanks for your note. Please let us know what you hear from Rep Ichiyama should you follow-up with her.

Quieter O'ahu

City Council To Vote On Bills 85 and 89 To Rein-In Out-of-Control Vacation Rentals

5/6/2019

Quieter O'ahu has received numerous reports of noise increase in neighborhood where illegal vacation rental have taken root. Most comments convey the same message: renters care little for the quality of life of families who live in these communities, and noise from loud parties and increased traffic at all hours of the day and night are part and parcel of living with these illegal accommodations in the neighborhood.

As reported in the Star Advertiser, City Council will be voting on two measures to rein-in the currently out-of-control, and illegal, vacation rental market. The Star Advertiser reports that:

"The City Council Planning Committee voted today to advance two bills to deal with the island’s perplexing vacation rental issue.One bill would allow for up to about 1,715 newly permitted vacation rentals on the island, while the other would crack down on the thousands of illegal units on the island.
What’s more, the permitted rentals would be required to be operated by an owner-occupant of a home so “whole home” vacation rentals would be out. An effort to include whole home rentals, a plan pushed by major vacation rental platforms such as Airbnb and Expedia, failed to garner enough support to move out of the committee.
The two bills, 85 (2018) and 89 (2018), now go to the full Council for a vote scheduled for May 8.
Both Planning Committee Chairman Ikaika Anderson and Councilman Ron Menor, who authored or co-authored the latest draft of the two bills, called the legislation a reasonable compromise.
The Council and a string of mayors have been trying unsuccessfully to tackle the complex vacation rental issue for several decades since the city stopped issuing permits for them in 1989. DPP estimates there are only 816 legal units outside of resort zones but between 6,000 and 8,000 illegal units on Oahu."

The speculators who are purchasing properties across the island, many in neighborhoods not zoned for this type of business, are lobbying the City Council hard to not pass these two bills. Similarly, operators of these illegal vacation rentals are signing petitions in the hopes of swaying council members from enacting these common sense bills to regulate the industry.

The measure will be voted-on on 8 May. There is a link where anyone can register to provide testimony about these illegal vacation rentals and the two measures to be voted on. Similarly, there is a link where anyone can submit written testimony online, and that testimony will be distributed to all council members. We provide those links below and encourage everyone interested in this issue to make their voices heard, either in person or through written testimony.

LINKS:

Persons wishing to testify IN PERSON are requested to register as follows:

On-Line at http://www.honolulu.gov/ccl-testimony-form.html

WRITTEN TESTIMONY

Written testimony may be faxed to 768-3826 or transmitted via the internet at http://www.honolulu.gov/ccl-testimony-form.html for distribution at the meeting. You can also fill-out a "Testimony Form" online at this link to submit your comments.

USMC Pu'uloa Shooting Range Retaliating Because Community Complained?? UPDATE 6 May 2019 (See compete USMC Response at end of posting)

5/2/2019

Quieter O'ahu has received follow-on information from website visitor(s) about what is apparently an ongoing back-and-forth with the USMC and manager(s) at Pu'uloa Shooting Range. Quieter O"aha is posting this information "as received" and without editing. Our responses to submitters are also provided and we will reach-out to the USMC at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i (MCBH) for their comments and will post as-received should they reply.

Comment: (1 May 2019)

Today is the first I have heard about this organization.

I have been engaged in an ongoing series of complaints, (false) promises of measures taken to mitigate their noise for nearly two years now without success.

The Puuloa Range Training Facility has, in the past 18-24 months or so, started using an astoundingly loud PA system, and they turn it on and test it-as a matter of standard procedure-and begin barking voice commands well before 7am. Advertised range hours are 7am-5pm.

I finally went to the neighborhood board meeting last month and asked that the issue be addressed at the next neighborhood board meeting which is next Thursday at the Campbell HS cafeteria.

Any advice on how to best make our case to MCBH to wait until 7AM to blast out the neighborhood and keep the PA system volume reasonable would be greatly appreciated.

Quieter O'ahu Response:

Aloha,
Thanks for your note. From the emails we've seen it appears there will be a good turnout at the next Ewa Neighborhood Board Meeting to discuss this issue, and I think the board will be moved to approach the USMC to discuss noise mitigation. Too, it's unclear whether the noise being generated is from the USMC users, or the Pu'uloa Rifle And Pistol Club (PRPC) (http://www.puuloa.com), or both. Regardless, as the host the USMC is probably the most direct route to problem resolution, and the military, generally, have in the past shown themselves to be good neighbors when and where possible. Worth a shot anyway before looking at ways to compel cessation of noise.

We would suggest that not only the hours of operation be discussed at the board meeting, but also the volume of their speaker system which, we hear, can be louder than the rifles and pistols.

Please follow-up with us with the results of the board meeting. We'll post an update to our interested subscribers on our blog.

We've added you to distribution list for occasional noise and related emails.

Mahalo,
Quieter O'ahu

Comment: (2 May 2019)

Aloha and mahalo for your quick reply,

I appreciate your thoughts and I can tell you as a person who served as a USN Public Affairs Officer at NAS Barbers Pt. for a while, that yes, the military can show themselves to be good neighbors and can strive to work toward harmony and accommodate issues when and where possible. As a pilot, I was accustomed to operating under strict noise abatement procedures specifically intended to minimize disturbances to civilian neighborhoods. I am also aware that execution of this concept varies greatly based on those who are in positions of leadership at the time.

MCBH has no official noise abatement procedures/policy for the Pu'uloa Range Training Facility. I've asked multiple times. I do find it interesting the Bellows training range has quiet hours from 10pm to 7am. I wonder why  Kailua and Waimanalo are afforded disparate noise abatement considerations than Ewa Beach.

At this point in time, the current MCBH leadership has made a clear and unambiguous intention to continue with amplified voice commands prior to 7am at the Pu'uloa Range. After numerous calls and discussions with the current MCBH Community Relations Officer (name removed), I became skeptical that my concerns about volume and time of day of these PA transmissions were being communicated up the chain of command accurately due to the persistent loud communications prior to 7am. On Feb 6, I decided to make a call to the Range Training Manager (name removed) to verify that he was aware of the situation. I was taken aback when he would not let me speak, but rather informed me with contempt that he knew who I was and that they would continue to do their operations as they see fit, when they see fit, they would not be changing anything, and hung up on me.

It was immediately following this one-way conversation that the volume went to ludicrous levels and the PA systems checks continued as early as 5:29AM. The timing of this volume increase and earlier time of the PA system use had me wondering if this was retaliatory in response to my call to (name removed).

I am certain that these amplified voice transmissions are not being made by the Pu'uloa Rifle and Pistol Club. They only use the range on the weekends, do not use the PA system and have never fired their weapons or made any other disturbances prior to 7am to my knowledge.

The Pu'uloa Range Training Facility is used by other organizations such as HPD, USCG, USN, US Army, and the FBI, but near as I can tell, there is only one person's voice who I have ever heard, and that is the voice of the person I believe to be the USMC "Gunner" who is in charge of the USMC training evolutions when they are training. I can assure you that often the PA system is louder and always more of a nuisance than the gunfire itself.

I offer all of the above as background to the situation in Ewa Beach and Iroquois Pt. and I greatly appreciate that there are people who have taken up noise pollution reduction on Oahu as a serious threat to our well-being. Thank you for what you do for your community. I'll let you know what transpires at the meeting next week.

Quieter O'ahu Response:

Great additional information. We're posting now to our noise blog (absent identifying information) and will see if we can contact the MCBH public affairs officer for comment.

Quieter O'ahu email to MCBH PAO:

Pu'uloa Range Training Facility (PRTF) Noise Issue
9:19 AM (0 minutes ago)
to kbaz_pao
Aloha,
I am writing from and for "A Quieter O'ahu," a State of Hawai'i 501c3 organization with a mission of informing the residents of O'ahu and Hawai'i about noise and related health and environmental concerns.

Our website, www.quieteroahu.com maintains a "Noise Blog" where members of the community submit contact forms to express their concerns about noise and related issues. These concerns are posted to our blog. A current topic of discussion is the amplified speaker noise emanating from PRTF, for its volume and times of day in operation.

In response to recent input about PRTF we replied to the submitter suggesting dialogue with the USMC who, to our knowledge, has always attempted to act as a good neighbor. In counter-reply, the submitter indicates that they have attempted to contact the Pu'uloa Range Manager and were greeted with "contempt" and as a result of their complaint, the noise level only increased, perhaps in retaliation for complaining. We understand that the Ewa Neighborhood board will address the issue of noise from PRTF on 9 May at their regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

You can find blog comments about PRTF at our website at https://www.quieteroahu.com/our-noise-blog . If you would like to respond please email us at quieteroahu@gmail.com and we will post your response to our Noise Blog as-received and without editing.

Mahalo,
Quieter O'ahu

Comment Received From Public Affairs Office, Marine Corps Base Hawai'i:

The following comments was received from the USMC PAO at MCBH. We are publishing "As-Received" with no additions or deletions:

KBAZ_COMMSTRAT <kbaz_commstrat@usmc.mil>11:00 AM (5 hours ago)
to me

Aloha,

Thank you for reaching out to us. We take our role as community member very seriously despite our small presence in this area. The Marine Corps has been actively training in Ewa Beach since 1915. We do as much as we can to be good neighbors while continuing to train Marines, as well as people from other agencies and military services.

In 2018, two of our ranges were down for maintenance for over 6 months. While this caused a backlog in training, it gave the community an unusual break from day to day operations. As operations resumed in 2019 there has been an adjustment period. As a result, we have worked with the range manager to lower the volume while maintaining our training and safety effectiveness.

Moving forward, we will continue our cooperative relationship by announcing future training pauses and the commencements. We thank you for your patience as we continue to ensure that our service members receive the training they need to do our nation’s work and return safely. If you have noise concerns, please feel free to reach out to us at (808) 257-8832. All calls are logged and responded to.

R/S,
Communication Strategy & Operations
Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Office: 808.257.1365
Email: kbaz_commstrat@usmc.mil

Official Website: http://www.mcbhawaii.marines.mil
Imagery Archive & Resources: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/MCBH
MCBH SharePoint (CAC only): https://eis.usmc.mil/sites/mcbhot/commstrat/default.aspx
Follow Us: https://www.facebook.com/MarineCorpsBaseHawaii

Ewa Neighborhood Board Meeting - Issue: LOUD Noise From Pu'uloa Firing Range

5/1/2019

Comment:

The Ewa Neighborhood Board would like to hear from people disturbed by the extraordinarily loud, new announcer at the Pu'uloa Firing Range. The neighborhood board will meet at the Campbell High School Cafeteria on May 9th, at 7 PM. We need a show of force!

Quieter O'ahu Response:

Aloha,

Thanks for your note. We will post it to our blog and also send out to our subscriber list (200+ people). We'll make the case to support the Ewa Neighborhood Board discussion on 9 May and hopefully we can increase turnout.

We have also added you to our subscriber mailing list for information time-to-time on noise and related issues.

Mahalo,
Quieter O'ahu

Can Emergency Sirens Be Made More Tolerable??

4/29/2019

New York City is now considering new legislation that would change the frequency and tone of its current emergency vehicle (e.g., ambulance, fire, police) sirens to that used in most European cities. The European style is the same loundness/Decibels, but is lower in both frequency of the sound and the tonal pattern. Many respondents have opined that the European version is better tolerated than the U.S. version. We understand from available literature that most contemporary sirens installed in emergency vehicles are programmable, and many could be changed to different tones with the the flip of a switch or two. The Waikiki Neighborhood Board is looking at this issue as a potential solution to the out-of-control emergency vehicle noise that plagues Waikiki today.

Read the article on what's happening with sirens in New York City.

Take The Time To Comment

Let us know what you think. Are you tired of the noise? Do you have ideas on how to combat the noise? Tell us about it.

Also, use the "Contact A Quieter O'ahu" form (under "About Us" on the menu bar) to let us hear from you. We continue to compile email addresses of those interested in reclaiming quiet for our island to inform of noise and related issues of interest. From time to time Quieter O'ahu may recommend contacting City Council or the Legislator to make your feelings known on a particular noise or related Bill.

TOGETHER we can affect positive change.