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Urban Honolulu residents have experienced increasingly-disruptive levels of noise resulting from early-morning trash pick-ups (e.g., backup beepers on trash pick-up trucks), noisy mopeds and motorcycles, leaf blowers, strong bass vibrations in high-density condominium buildings located in close proximity to late-night liquor establishments, and so on during the last decade.

However, urban noise legislation has faced an uphill battle in the State Legislature because of the lack of familiarity with the unique noise impacts experienced by urban residents. Between 2009-2010, however, several measures have recognized the importance of addressing urban noise problems as a public health priority.

Act 25, 2009 Special Session (SB 605, SD1, HD3, CD1)

In 2009, urban Honolulu legislators teamed up to pass Act 25, Relating to Noise, a measure adding the dBC decibel weighting system to the current dBA decibel weighting system for purposes of community noise control.

This law was drafted to address the heavy bass sounds that typically impact neighboring condo dwellers by causing a building's rebars/support structure to vibrate and transmit bass sounds and music throughout the building's structure. By setting maximum permissible sound levels for nighttime activity in urban land use districts, and giving Department of Health and county liquor commissions the authority to enforce the limits, enforcement activity could be pursued by county liquor commissions that could enforce laws affecting liquor establishments exceeding the maximum noise levels. In 2010, temporary Department of Health rules have not yet been adopted.

Act 206, 2010 Session (SB 466, SD2, HD1, CD1)

Act 206, Relating to Pollution, prohibits the use of leaf blowers on or near residential zones, except within allowed time periods. This law, adopted without the Governor's signature in 2010, authorizes counties to adopt rules or ordinances that are more restrictive; provides that, in case of a conflict between the leaf blower restrictions and county rule or ordinance, the more restrictive provision shall apply. Since its adoption as a statewide regulatory measure in 2010, the Honolulu City Council is also considering a more restrictive prohibition on leaf blower regulation.

SCR 183 SD1 HD1, 2010 Session

To develop recommendations for 2011 legislation, the State Legislature adopted SCR 183, SD1, HD1, Convening A Legislative Noise Pollution Task Force To Review Best Practices From Other States In Reducing Urban Noise Pollution.

The Task Force will consist of representatives from various state and county departments and agencies that are involved in the regulation and enforcement of noise laws, area legislators, and members of the following Oahu neighborhood board areas (if interested): McCully-Moiliili (Neighborhood Board No.8), Waikiki (Neighborhood Board No.9), Makiki-Lower Punchbowl-Tantalus (Neighborhood Board No. 10), Ala Moana-Kakaako (Neighborhood Board No. 11), Nuuanu/Punchbowl (Neighborhood Board No. 12), Downtown (Neighborhood Board No. 13), Liliha-Puunui-Alewa-Kamehameha Heights (Neighborhood Board No. 14), and Kalihi-Palama (Neighborhood Board No. 15).