Comment:
It truly is unbelievable that obvious violations of Hawaii's relevant laws seem to be totally ignored by agencies charged with enforcement. Compared with 10 years ago, it seems that there's more noise on our streets than ever. Surely, people who suffer from excessive noise outnumber the scofflaws.
Quieter O'ahu Response:
Thank you for your note. Yes, it is noisier than it was 10 years ago. We've been online for about that long and have seen the steady rise of noise in our environment. There are more illegally modified exhaust systems on motorcycles, mopeds, automobiles, and trucks; there are more illegally loud and powerful after-market stereo systems installed in vehicles; there is more gas-powered landscaping equipment in use; there is more construction - everywhere; and as we increasingly live closer together as the population increases, neighbors are noisier. And ironically, there are existing rules, ordinances and statutes in place today that, if enforced, would turn the tide on noise. But we do not have enforcement. In broad strokes, the Hawai'i Dept of Health has responsibility for enforcing commercial (including construction) and stationary activity noise; HPD has responsibility for enforcing residential and vehicular noise. But they don't. HPD places a very low priority on noise as evidenced by the simple metric of noise citations issued (when you can obtain that information, which is rare). The Dept of Health is essentially a no-show to the game.
Our website's goal is to provide information on the noise climate in O'ahu and across Hawai'i, identify the ordinances and statutes that "should" be protecting residents, and propose actions that could raise the visibility of the noise problem across the public conscience. Our email distribution list, which we use sparingly, is intended to inform of current noise issues, and, ultimately, we will begin identifying legislators who refuse to insist that responsible agencies become responsible a basic tenant of public trust. Our one common voice is our ballot, and that voice should be used to install legislators that WILL insist, and WILL make a real difference. Frankly, our entire lot of legislators today should all be ashamed of their records on noise control.
And yes, absolutely, the noise-makers are a small, small, minority and could be contained if our enforcers would do their jobs.
We have added you to our distribution (your name/email will not be shared) and we will post your comment (without attribution) to our blog. Thanks again for taking the time to drop a note.
Mahalo,
A Quieter O'ahu
It truly is unbelievable that obvious violations of Hawaii's relevant laws seem to be totally ignored by agencies charged with enforcement. Compared with 10 years ago, it seems that there's more noise on our streets than ever. Surely, people who suffer from excessive noise outnumber the scofflaws.
Quieter O'ahu Response:
Thank you for your note. Yes, it is noisier than it was 10 years ago. We've been online for about that long and have seen the steady rise of noise in our environment. There are more illegally modified exhaust systems on motorcycles, mopeds, automobiles, and trucks; there are more illegally loud and powerful after-market stereo systems installed in vehicles; there is more gas-powered landscaping equipment in use; there is more construction - everywhere; and as we increasingly live closer together as the population increases, neighbors are noisier. And ironically, there are existing rules, ordinances and statutes in place today that, if enforced, would turn the tide on noise. But we do not have enforcement. In broad strokes, the Hawai'i Dept of Health has responsibility for enforcing commercial (including construction) and stationary activity noise; HPD has responsibility for enforcing residential and vehicular noise. But they don't. HPD places a very low priority on noise as evidenced by the simple metric of noise citations issued (when you can obtain that information, which is rare). The Dept of Health is essentially a no-show to the game.
Our website's goal is to provide information on the noise climate in O'ahu and across Hawai'i, identify the ordinances and statutes that "should" be protecting residents, and propose actions that could raise the visibility of the noise problem across the public conscience. Our email distribution list, which we use sparingly, is intended to inform of current noise issues, and, ultimately, we will begin identifying legislators who refuse to insist that responsible agencies become responsible a basic tenant of public trust. Our one common voice is our ballot, and that voice should be used to install legislators that WILL insist, and WILL make a real difference. Frankly, our entire lot of legislators today should all be ashamed of their records on noise control.
And yes, absolutely, the noise-makers are a small, small, minority and could be contained if our enforcers would do their jobs.
We have added you to our distribution (your name/email will not be shared) and we will post your comment (without attribution) to our blog. Thanks again for taking the time to drop a note.
Mahalo,
A Quieter O'ahu
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