Noise Ordinances in East Honolulu, HI (2026)
8 verified noise ordinances for East Honolulu, Hawaii, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
State Nighttime Limit 10 PM-7 AM; 45 dBA Residential
Some RestrictionsHawaii Administrative Rules, Title 11, Department of Health, Chapter 46 (Community Noise Control), section 11-46-4 (Maximum permissible sound levels in dBA)
Table 1. Maximum permissible sound levels in dBA. Zoning Districts / Daytime 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. / Nighttime 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. -- Class A 55 / 45; Class B 60 / 50; Class C 70 / 70. (c) Noise levels shall not exceed the maximum permissible sound levels for more than ten per cent of the time within any twenty minute period, except by permit or variance issued under sections 11-46-7 and 11-46-8. ......
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.
Construction Noise Permitted 7 AM-6 PM Weekdays Only
Heavy RestrictionsHawaii Administrative Rules, Title 11, Chapter 46, section 11-46-7(j) (Specific permit restrictions for construction activities)
(j) Specific permit restrictions for construction activities. (1) No permit shall allow any construction activities which emit noise in excess of the maximum permissible sound levels for the hours before 7:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m. of the same day, Monday through Friday; (2) No permit shall allow any construction activities which emit noise in excess of the maximum permissible sound levels fo...
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.
Dog Barking 10 Min Continuous Is an Animal Nuisance
Some RestrictionsRevised Ordinances of Honolulu, Chapter 12, Article 2 (Animal Nuisances), sections 12-2.2 (Definitions) and 12-2.3 (Animal nuisance - Prohibited)
"Animal nuisance" includes any animal that makes noise continuously and/or incessantly for ten minutes or intermittently for one-half hour or more and disturbs any person at any time of the day or night. ROH 12-2.3 (Animal nuisance - Prohibited): No owner or person having control of any animal shall allow the animal to become an animal nuisance.
Leaf Blower Rules
Leaf blowers and weedwhackers in East Honolulu's manicured Hawaii Kai estates are limited by HAR 11-46 to 8am-7pm weekdays and 9am-7pm Sundays and holidays.
East Honolulu Leaf Blower Time Restrictions
Some RestrictionsAmplified Music & Events
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.
Nighttime Bass Over 60 dBC Exceeds Limit; 30-Foot Audible Rule
Some RestrictionsHawaii Revised Statutes section 342F-31.5 (Noise measurement; rules), subsections (b) and (c)
(b) In any urban land use district, a sound level of more than sixty decibels for bass sound (using the dBC weighting system), measured at a complainant's site, shall be deemed to exceed the maximum permissible sound at nighttime; provided that, where the complainant's site is within or in close proximity to an area zoned mixed-use or residential, the maximum permissible sound at nighttime shal...
Aircraft Noise
No East Honolulu-specific ordinance directly addresses aircraft noise; aircraft and airspace noise are federally preempted and controlled by the FAA under 49 U.S.C. 44715 and the exclusive federal sovereignty of navigable airspace, so the City and County of Honolulu cannot impose local aircraft noise limits.
Aircraft Noise Is Federally Preempted (FAA Control)
Few Restrictions49 U.S.C. 44715(a)(1) (Controlling aircraft noise and sonic boom)
To relieve and protect the public health and welfare from aircraft noise and sonic boom, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, as he deems necessary, shall prescribe -- (i) standards to measure aircraft noise and sonic boom; and (ii) regulations to control and abate aircraft noise and sonic boom.
Industrial Noise
ROH Chapter 41 Article 6 supplements state HAR 11-46 decibel limits for any industrial or stationary noise sources impacting East Honolulu residential neighborhoods.
East Honolulu Industrial Noise Standards
Some RestrictionsVehicle 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.
Mufflers Required; Loud Vehicle Stereos Banned in Public
Some RestrictionsHawaii Administrative Rules, Title 11, Chapter 46, section 11-46-6(b)(1) (Specific prohibitions - Mufflers)
11-46-6(b)(1)(A) No person shall operate nor shall its owner permit the operation of an on-site vehicle, construction equipment, or device, with a motor or exhaust system or both, without a muffler. This subparagraph shall not apply to pile hammers and pneumatic hand tools weighing less than fifteen pounds; and (B) No person shall operate nor shall its owner permit the operation of an on-site v...
Looking for Honolulu County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement East Honolulu city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Honolulu County →