| 43 | | - | WHEREAS, noise pollution is a serious, prevalent and increasing problem affecting quality of life in the State, particularly in urban areas, but also in suburban and rural areas; and WHEREAS, noise pollution impairs the peace and tranquility that should be part of the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands; and WHEREAS, citizens of Hawaii are entitled to a healthy and peaceful environment and have the right to be free from noise pollution that may be hazardous to their health or welfare; and WHEREAS, exposure to excessively loud and unabated noises can result in physiological, psychological and economic damage; and WHEREAS, excessive noise constitutes a public nuisance; and WHEREAS, efforts to protect this right have been codified under Chapter 342F, Hawaii Revised Statues, and in Hawaii Administrative Rules title 11, Chapter 46; and WHEREAS, in addition, section 46-17, Hawaii Revised Statutes, authorizes any county to adopt ordinances regulating noise, among other things; and WHEREAS, existing regulatory measures are not effectively enforced and do not adequately address noise pollution emitted by excessively loud vehicles and small off-road engines such as leaf blowers and other lawn and garden equipment; and WHEREAS, loud two-stroke engines such as internal combustion engine mopeds are significant contributors to noise pollution that have raised ongoing concerns in communities throughout the State; and WHEREAS, mopeds and other motor vehicles with after-market modifications to engine or exhaust systems are often many times louder than larger motorcycles that have greater engine displacement and robust exhaust baffles; and WHEREAS, excessively loud vehicles and small off-road engines such as leaf blowers and other lawn and garden equipment are difficult to regulate because of the mobile and dispersed nature of this equipment; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the Department of Health is requested to examine issues and barriers to enforcement to reduce noise from two-stroke engines, mopeds, and small off-road engines; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to consider the feasibility of funding commercial rebates or similar incentive funding to support the transition to quieter operations by zero-emission mopeds and small off-road equipment; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than December 31, 2022; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health and Director of the Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu. Report Title: Department of Health; Enforcement; Noise Pollution; Two-Stroke Engines; Mopeds; Small Off-Road Engines |
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| 45 | + | WHEREAS, noise pollution is a serious, prevalent, and increasing problem affecting quality of life in the state, particularly in urban areas, but also in suburban and rural areas; and WHEREAS, noise pollution impairs the peace and tranquility that should be part of the beauty of the Hawaiian islands; and WHEREAS, citizens of Hawaii are entitled to a healthy and peaceful environment and have the right to be free from noise pollution that may be hazardous to their health or welfare; and WHEREAS, exposure to excessively loud and unabated noises can result in physiological, psychological and economic damage; and WHEREAS, excessive noise constitutes a public nuisance; and WHEREAS, efforts to protect this right have been codified under chapter 342F, Hawaii Revised Statues, and in Hawaii administrative rules chapter 11-46; and WHEREAS, in addition, section 46-17, Hawaii Revised Statutes, authorizes any county to adopt ordinances regulating noise, among other things; and WHEREAS, existing regulatory measures are not effectively enforced and do not adequately address noise pollution emitted by excessively loud vehicles and small off-road engines such as leaf blowers and other lawn and garden equipment; and WHEREAS, loud two-stroke engines such as internal combustion engine mopeds are significant contributors that have raised ongoing concerns in communities throughout the State; and WHEREAS, mopeds and other motor vehicles with after-market modifications to engine or exhaust systems are often many times louder than larger motorcycles that have greater engine displacement and robust exhaust baffles; and WHEREAS, small off-road engines, which are used primarily in lawn and garden equipment, can also emit excessive noise; and WHEREAS, excessively loud vehicles and small off-road engines such as leaf blowers and other lawn and garden equipment are difficult to regulate because of the mobile and dispersed nature of this equipment; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the department of health should examine issues and barriers to enforcement to reduce noise; and should submit a report to the legislature by December 31, 2022, with recommendations for changes to statutes, rules, and other guidance needed to help reduce noise from these sources, including possibly funding commercial rebates or similar incentive funding to support the transition to quieter operations by zero-emission mopeds and small off-road equipment; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Director of Health, and Director of the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting. OFFERED BY: _____________________________ Report Title: Enforcement, Noise Pollution, Small Engines |
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