Aircraft noise over Kailua is preempted by federal FAA rules, with state-level authority limited to HRS §261-12 tour-aircraft permit conditions; ROH §41-6 explicitly excludes aircraft in flight.
Complaints about helicopter tours, MCBH fixed-wing traffic, and commercial overflights cannot be resolved through city ordinance because federal law preempts local aviation noise regulation. HRS §261-12 directs the State Director of Transportation to adopt noise-abatement procedures for tour aircraft operating permits, which is the main non-federal lever. Kailua residents bothered by persistent overflights should report to the FAA Noise Complaint line and to Hawaii DOT Airports Division. ROH §41-6 covers ground-based noise but explicitly exempts aircraft in flight.
City has no authority to fine aircraft operators; FAA handles federal enforcement, and HDOT enforces tour-permit conditions.
Kailua, HI
Residential pool barriers in Kailua must meet ROH Sec. 16-6.2, which mandates fencing and other protective devices around swimming pools. These rules reduce ...
Kailua, HI
Retaining walls in Kailua follow ROH Sec. 21-4.40, which caps fill-retention walls within required yards at 6 feet. Terraced walls count toward combined heig...
Kailua, HI
Kailua fence materials are defined under ROH Sec. 21-4.60, which recognizes wrought iron, wire, wood, vinyl, plastic, and masonry with post foundations. Corr...
Kailua, HI
Fences along shared property lines in Kailua are governed by ROH Sec. 21-4.30 yard and setback rules. Honolulu has no dedicated spite-fence statute, so dispu...
Kailua, HI
Kailua public parks are closed to entry during posted night hours under ROH Sec. 10-1.2, with narrow exceptions for traversing beach parks to reach the shore...
Kailua, HI
Kailua follows the state juvenile curfew under HRS Sec. 577-16, which bars children under 16 from public places between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. without a pa...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Honolulu County.
See how other cities in Honolulu County handle aircraft noise.
See how Kailua's aircraft noise rules stack up against other locations.
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