Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Kokua Line
Question: Our neighbor is in the fourth year of constructing a home. We called the noise people, but they still work six days a week and often seven. We don't have one day of complete peace. Are there any restrictions on noise-making? Are they allowed to work seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., in a residential neighborhood? It's quite unbearable. Neighbors’
construction
never stopsAnswer: Sunday and holidays are supposed to be days off for construction workers, whether on a home or commercial property, said Russell Takata, manager of the the state Department of Health's Noise, Radiation and Indoor Air Quality Branch.
During weekdays, construction is allowed between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., and on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., he said.
"The thing about construction activity is that, in most cases, it will exceed the noise limits," Takata explained.
In the past, permits were required for any and all work exceeding noise standards. But the law was changed so that, for home construction work that costs less than $250,000, a permit is no longer required, Takata said.
Call his office at 586-4700 with specifics, including the address of the home under construction. "We can find out whether they are meeting the requirements," Takata said. "If not, they will be informed of the requirements."
Q: My husband and I have two silly cats that make us laugh. Our Sophie suddenly developed a lump on her back so we took her to the vet. To our astonishment, we found she had been shot with a pellet gun. What kind of idiot would do this to a defenseless animal? We work very hard to feed the neighborhood stray/feral cats, trap them and take them to the humane society. We have them spayed when we can and find homes for the small ones. We feel we are very responsible pet owners. Has anyone else in Aiea Heights had a pet injured in this manner? If so, please email us: caryls@lava.net
A: "We do get calls from time to time" about such incidents, said Eve Holt, spokeswoman for the Hawaiian Humane Society. Whether they're shot by a pellet gun or "in some way deliberately injured," they seem to be random incidents reported from all over the island, she said.
If anyone is aware of such cruelty, Holt said they should call the HHS at 946-2187.
"It's a terribly unfortunate thing because it is an act of violence against a living creature," she said. "It's important for our community that we not tolerate any act of violence."
Mahalo
To Ala Wai Marine and Brookins Boat Works. The mast on our sailboat snapped while my wife and I were sailing here from the South Pacific. Ala Wai Marine pulled out the broken mast; Brookins fixed it; then Ala Wai Marine reinstalled it. Later, we hauled our boat for painting and maintenance at Ala Wai Marine. We were treated professionally and respectfully by both these local businesses. -- Robby Coleman/Southern Cross
Auwe
To the man in the white pickup truck who dropped a seven-foot-long metal rake on H-1 near the 6th Avenue exit on Monday, April 17. You saw me run it over and get it stuck in my rear axle. I pulled onto the freeway shoulder and you drove off without coming to my help. The rake ruptured my brake line and I had to have my van towed to the repair shop. You should reimburse me for the $118 repair bill! -- Dan Brown
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com