Amplified Music & Events: East Honolulu vs Kailua
How do amplified music & events rules compare between East Honolulu, HI and Kailua, HI?
East Honolulu has fewer restrictions than Kailua.
East Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
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.
View full East Honolulu rules →Kailua, HI
Honolulu County
ROH §21-4.80 restricts outdoor amplified music and PA systems at Kailua commercial sites adjacent to residential districts, and §41-6.1 bars amplified sound on public property audible beyond 30 feet.
View full Kailua rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | East Honolulu | Kailua |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
East Honolulu FAQ
Is there a bass / loud music limit at night?
Yes. HRS 342F-31.5 deems nighttime bass sound over 60 dBC (or 50 dBC near residential or mixed-use areas), measured at the complainant's site, to exceed the maximum permissible nighttime level between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Can I play a speaker in a park or on the street?
Not if it is too loud. Revised Ordinances of Honolulu 41-6.1 makes it unlawful to operate a radio or other sound-reproducing device on public property or a vehicle on a public street when the sound is audible 30 feet away.
Kailua FAQ
Can I have a DJ at my Kailua Beach wedding?
Only with a Department of Parks and Recreation permit and amplification kept below the 30-foot audibility threshold.
Are acoustic performances restricted?
Unamplified acoustic music is generally allowed, but it still cannot violate general noise or disturbance rules.
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