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Kokua Line
Question: Back in the '60s, when kids were putting glass-pack mufflers on their cars, I think there was a city ordinance that restricted the level of noise cars could emit. Nowadays, kids are souping up cars with mufflers that are making far more noise than we ever did in the '60s. Is there still an ordinance that restricts the level of noise that souped-up cars and motorcycles can emit? If so, why isn't it being enforced? Cops can’t do much
about loud mufflersAnswer: Yes, there are noise restrictions. But the kicker is, the inspectors who issue permits for reconstructed vehicles no longer have decibel meters to check actual noise levels.
In the meantime, the state Department of Health, which has had jurisdiction over vehicular noise, no longer will have anything to do with that in the near future.
Chapter 11-42 of the Hawaii Administrative Rules -- "Vehicular Noise Control" -- is part of a bill to repeal a host of "obsolete laws" passed by the 2000 Legislature and expected to be approved by the governor soon.
In the past, inspectors would "work with police at certain sites. Anything over the acceptable noise level, the police would tag -- issue citations," explained Russell Takata, manager for the Health Department's Noise, Radiation and Indoor Air Quality Branch.
You may find this hard to believe, but there were so few violations found and manpower is so short that officials decided the regulation was not needed.
The bottom line, "Once that's repealed, we'll be out of the vehicular noise business," Takata said.
However, the city Motor Vehicle Reconstruction Permit Station is responsible for determining whether reconstructed vehicles meet government regulations.
Although inspectors see a "resurgence" of glass-pack mufflers, they're still not as popular as they were back in the '60s and early '70s, said David Mau, the city assistant motor vehicle and licensing administrator. Glass-pack mufflers are those "with less restriction within a muffler, so the noise emitted from the tail pipe is very loud, almost like having no muffler."
Back in the '60s and '70s, "whenever vehicles came in for reconstruction permits, we would take decibel readings at various RPMs and various distances," Mau said.
But because no meters are used today, it often comes down to "experience" in determining whether something is "too loud."
"If it's something that's really, really loud, like having no muffler, it'll be quite obvious, but of course, we can always be challenged," Mau said.
What happens if the decision is challenged?
The applicant is told to get an affidavit from the shop that worked on the muffler.
Retailers who make such changes "will normally provide an affidavit indicating that the product sold and used meets all the requirements of our ordinances and statutes," Mau said.
Mahalo
To Glenn Shinsato who was passing by on Elelupe Road in Kuliouou on May 22 and helped us when my brother collapsed on the street. He used his cell phone to call 911, and ambulance and Hawaii Kai firemen responded immediately. My brother is doing fine. -- Grateful Sister
Auwe
To the thoughtless driver of a Nissan van who parked so close and at an angle to me just before noon May 24 at Daiei Kaheka. I couldn't get into my car or back out without an accident. Mahalo to the fireman who assisted me. There was no other way I could have gotten out without damaging the van.-- No name
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