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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
Neighbors may
hammer until 6 p.m.Question: Can you tell us again about the hours when residential construction is allowed? The problem is with my neighbors, who don't know when to stop. Sometimes they go until 8 or 8:30 at night. They are just 10 feet away from my bedroom and kitchen. All that noise and throwing things around -- I am elderly and handicapped, and it's all very stressful. I have to keep my doors and windows closed, and it's really hot. Can you put in the information about when they can do construction work? I am not complaining about daytime construction.
Answer: Construction is allowed between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays, and between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays.
No construction is supposed to take place on Sundays or state holidays, said Russell Takata, manager of the state Department of Health's Noise, Radiation and Indoor Air Quality Branch.
Homeowners are supposed to file a notice to construct with the branch, while a contractor is required to obtain a community noise permit, he said.
If your neighbor is doing work beyond the allowable hours, you can file a complaint with the branch (call 586-4700).
Inspectors are not on call. They usually will go out on the next working day to check out a complaint, but also may go out after normal work hours -- on weekends and holidays -- to inspect construction sites, Takata said.
Q: Can you tell me what the number is again for the Do-Not-Call Registry to stop telemarketing calls?
A: To register home phone numbers, wireless phone numbers, or both, call 888-382-1222. For the hearing-impaired, call TTY 866-290-4236.
You must call from the phone number you wish to register.
You can also register online by going to www.fcc.gov/cgb/donotcall.
The registry, set up by the Federal Communications Commission under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, will take effect on Oct. 1. Although it won't stop all telemarketing calls, signing up with the registry will prohibit commercial telemarketers from both out of state and in state from calling you.
Registration is free and good for five years. You may remove your name from the list at any time but must re-register at the end of five years.
The FCC says registering will not prevent calls from organizations with which you have an established business relationship; calls for which you have given prior written consent; calls that are not commercial or do not include unsolicited advertisements; or calls by or on behalf of tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations.
Clarification
We mentioned that John Clark, source of the information on the Blowhole marker (yesterday's "Kokua Line"), writes a "Hawaiian Moment" column that appears the last Sunday of the month. We should clarify that various members of the Hawaiian Historical Society contribute to the "Hawaiian Moment" column, which appears every Sunday in the Star-Bulletin on Page A2.
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See the Columnists section for some past articles.
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.
E-mail to kokualine@starbulletin.com