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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
Loud customers can
be given the bootQuestion: Is there a law regarding playing the car stereo very loud? I work at a gas station, and people come in with windows open and leave their stereos on, playing extremely loud. It's very annoying. I can't hear the cashier if she wants to get hold of me when this happens. On certain occasions the person wouldn't turn the volume down even when asked.
Answer: There is a so-called "boombox" ordinance, but it only pertains to noise emanating from a vehicle on a public street.
Under the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, Chapter 41-31-1 (dealing with "prohibited noise"), it is unlawful for someone "to play, use or operate or permit to be played, used or operated any radio, tape recorder, cassette player or other machine or device for reproducing sound" on any public property (streets, highways, buildings, sidewalks, parks, etc.) or in "any motor vehicle on a public street, highway or public space" if the sound can be heard at least 30 feet from its source.
Police can issue a citation, but only if they personally hear the violation and only if it is on public property.
Having said that, a business that provides a service has the option of refusing to serve someone who is, essentially, an unruly customer.
If the person persists in demanding service without complying with your request to tone down the volume, you should call 911 and let police handle the matter, according to Honolulu police officer Leland Cadoy.
He likened the situation to a homeowner having a noisy party, and the next-door neighbor complains to police about the excessive noise.
"Every homeowner or property manager has a responsibility to the community to stay within the limits of the law," Cadoy said.
Q: I work at a restaurant and was wondering, Is there a legal time period in which we have to hang onto a lost-and-found item before we can turn it over to the Salvation Army or whomever?
A: For the sake of the customer who may have lost or forgotten something, it's probably a good idea to hang onto an item for at least a few days.
Legally, Hawaii law calls for the finder to report or deliver any found money or property to the chief of police of whatever county it was found in. The county police department is required to hold onto the item for 45 days or until claimed by the owner.
If no one claims it within 45 days, police will notify the finder, who then has 30 days in which to lay claim. If neither owner nor finder comes forward, the item is turned over to the county director of finance or put up for public auction.
Money or property found at the airport is handled the same way, except that it's supposed to be turned over to the airport director. Proceeds from unclaimed items go into the airport revenue fund.
Tax-aid sites
For those who are waiting for the annual listing: We plan to publish the times and dates of free federal and state tax preparation help offered at various community sites in Sunday's "Kokua Line." But it depends on when the list of sites is finalized and presented to us by the sponsors, among them the IRS and AARP.
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See the Columnists section for some past articles.
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Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
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Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
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