Amplified Music & Events: East Honolulu vs Kaneohe
How do amplified music & events rules compare between East Honolulu, HI and Kaneohe, HI?
East Honolulu and Kaneohe have similar restriction levels.
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 →Kaneohe, HI
Honolulu County
ROH §21-4.80 restricts outdoor amplified music and public-address systems at Kaneohe commercial properties adjacent to residential areas, and §41-6.1 limits amplified sound audible 30 feet away on public land.
View full Kaneohe rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | East Honolulu | Kaneohe |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Kaneohe FAQ
Can my restaurant play amplified music on its patio?
Only if the patio is not audibly affecting adjacent residential districts and complies with ROH §21-4.80.
Are church amplifiers regulated?
Outdoor religious amplification is subject to the same 30-foot audibility and LUO rules unless covered by a permit.
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