How East Honolulu Handles Noise Ordinances: A Practical Guide

East Honolulu maintains 23 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with noise ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where East Honolulu falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Barking Dogs

Under the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Chapter 12, an animal that makes noise continuously for ten minutes, or intermittently for one-half hour or more, and disturbs anyone is an 'animal nuisance' that is prohibited at any time of day or night.

Key details: Code Section: ROH 12-2.2 / 12-2.3. Continuous trigger: 10 minutes. Intermittent trigger: One-half hour (30 min). Applies: Any time of day or night.

ROH Chapter 12 animal nuisance violations are enforced by the Honolulu Police Department, typically with a written warning (Notice of Animal Nuisance Complaint) for a first offense and citations with escalating fines for repeat offenses within two years.

Quiet Hours

East Honolulu is part of the City and County of Honolulu, where community noise is governed by the State of Hawaii Department of Health under HAR Chapter 11-46. Nighttime runs 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., and the maximum permissible sound level in residential (Class A) districts drops from 55 dBA in the daytime to 45 dBA at night.

Key details: Code Section: HAR 11-46-4; HRS 342F-31.5. Nighttime: 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.. Residential limit: 45 dBA night / 55 dBA day (Class A). Penalty: Up to $10,000/day (HAR 11-46-16).

Under HAR 11-46-16, any person who violates the chapter or a permit/variance is subject to fines of up to $10,000 per offense, with each day of violation a separate offense; obstructing a department inspection is fined up to $500.

Construction Hours

Under HAR 11-46-7(j), a community noise permit may not authorize construction noise exceeding the limits before 7:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, before 9:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, or at all on Sundays and holidays.

Key details: Code Section: HAR 11-46-7(j). Weekday hours: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Mon-Fri). Saturday hours: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.. Sundays/holidays: No permitted construction noise.

Violating the permit hour restrictions or operating without a required permit/variance is subject to HAR 11-46-16 penalties of up to $10,000 per day, with each day a separate offense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. East Honolulu actively enforces its construction hours requirements.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Hawaii's state bass-noise statute (HRS 342F-31.5) deems nighttime bass sound over 60 dBC (50 dBC near residential or mixed-use areas) to exceed the maximum permissible nighttime level. Locally, the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu make it unlawful to operate a sound-reproducing device on public property or a vehicle so that it is audible 30 feet away.

Key details: Code Section: HRS 342F-31.5; ROH 41-6.1. Nighttime bass limit: 60 dBC (50 dBC near residential). Public device rule: Not audible 30 ft away (ROH 41-6.1). Nighttime: 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m..

State bass-noise violations are enforced through HAR 11-46 penalties (up to $10,000 per day under 11-46-16) and by county liquor commissions for establishments; ROH 41-6 sound-device violations are petty misdemeanors/citations under the Honolulu code.

Vehicle Noise

HAR 11-46-6(b) requires on-site vehicles and construction equipment to operate with a functioning, unmodified muffler, and Revised Ordinances of Honolulu 41-6.1 bars operating a sound-reproducing device in a vehicle on a public street if it is audible 30 feet away.

Key details: Code Section: HAR 11-46-6(b); ROH 41-6.1. Muffler: Required, unmodified. Vehicle stereo: Not audible 30 ft (ROH 41-6.1). Penalty (state): Up to $10,000/day (11-46-16).

Muffler and equipment-noise violations under HAR 11-46 carry fines up to $10,000 per day (11-46-16); ROH 41-6.1 sound-device violations are enforced by the Honolulu Police Department as citations under the Honolulu code.

The Bottom Line

East Honolulu's noise ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming East Honolulu is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that East Honolulu can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.