Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: I live by Ala Moana Center on a high floor of a high-rise apartment building. Several nights a week, the clubs on Kapiolani, and across from the convention center, play incredibly loud music -- so loud, it sounds like the bass is drumming from the neighbors. I've lived in many big cities and have never, never heard any noise from businesses allowed to be so loud. Several times a week, this rapid, nonstop vibrating music thuds from late night to sometimes 5 a.m. or later! Even with all the windows closed and being near the top, I can hear it thudding nonstop (usually weekends, sometimes weekdays other than Friday). Why is this being allowed? They must be exceeding allowable noise levels. This is harassment for all of the families in the neighborhood. Call liquor panel to report
on extra-noisy businessesAnswer: If it's as bad as you say it is, the Honolulu Liquor Commission can investigate and issue a citation.
Whenever you hear the "incredibly loud music," call the commission's 24-hour hot line, 523-4194.
Wally Weatherwax, the commission's executive director, noted that liquor inspectors sometimes may be on the road, but are required to check in twice a night.
If a complaint isn't picked up the night of the call, it will be forwarded to the next night's shift for follow-up. "You should get a response within a 24-hour window," Weatherwax said.
Once a complaint is recorded, an inspector, armed with a noise meter, will contact the complainant to take a meter reading at the complainant's property line, he said.
The next step is to return to the office to "download the information" from the meter. If the reading exceeds the allowable decibel level, inspectors will either issue a warning or a citation, depending on whether there have been past complaints, Weatherwax said.
Acceptable noise levels are set for three zoning districts, with the maximum level reduced at night as follows:
Class A Zoning District (equivalent to county lands zoned conservation, P-1; residential, R-1 through R-70; or similar): 55 decibels, reduced to 45 decibels from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Class B Zoning District (equivalent to county lands zoned apartment, A-1 through A-5; business, B-1 through B-5; hotel, H-1 and H-2; resort, B-R; or similar): 60 decibels, reduced to 50 decibels from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Class C Zoning District (equivalent to county lands zoned agricultural, AG-1 and AG-2; industrial, I-1 through I-3; or similar): 70 decibels 24 hours a day.
Asked if action has been taken on a noise complaint, Weatherwax noted that in January, All Star Cafe was found guilty of exceeding the noise level, "but because of some other circumstances, they got a letter of reprimand."
The commission has no injunctive powers to close down an establishment for noise violations.
"We have to go through the citation process, the adjudication process," Weatherwax said, which involves issuing fines. If an establishment is fined several times "and they don't take any remedial action, then the commission will consider revocation of the (liquor) license. Or, we will petition at the time of renewal, not to have the license renewed."
Complaints about excessive, late-night noise is especially prevalent in mixed-use districts, where there are residences and businesses side by side, he said. Prime areas are Waikiki, Ala Moana, Keeaumoku and downtown.
The problem is, he said, "You have mixed use (where) people want to have parties and people want to sleep."
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com