Ask the Mayor: Can a Woodworking Shop Operate Legally from a Condo?

Power tool. Debra Lordan photo

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the questions submitted to his office staff.

Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email at[email protected], call 270-7855 or send them by mail to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.

Dear Mr. Mayor

Q: I am a resident of a large residential condominium complex in Central Maui. There is a gentleman who is running a commercial woodworking shop out of his condo and backyard. His equipment includes a sanding machine, table saw, electric planer and skill saw. He begins using this equipment, outdoors, in the late afternoon and continues to work, at times, until 9:30 p.m. The noise is earsplitting, making it impossible to hold a conversation or to watch television.

Beyond the deafening noise factor and timing of this work, is it even legal to run such a business in this vicinity? If it is not, what can be done to stop this horrendous intrusion on all our neighbors’ formerly peaceful evenings? Mahalo and aloha.

A: That duration and level of noise does not sound pleasant to have in your neighborhood. While it’s hard to say whether the activity is indeed commercial or a personal hobby just from listening to the noise, it sounds disruptive enough that you should talk with your condominium’s management company.

An on-site manager can observe the activity and make any official complaints as needed, as the rules for every condo development will be different. State law also considers “unreasonable noise” a manner of disorderly conduct, under HRS §711-1101.