Ask the Mayor: Is There a Noise Ordinance for Mopeds?

Motorcycle image from raumrot.com.

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

Aloha Mr. Mayor,

Q: Is there any kind of noise ordinance related to excessively loud exhausts on motor vehicles, specifically, mopeds? It seems to be a trend these days to modify mopeds to be as loud as possible. I hear them pass by my house late at night and early in the morning, and I can still hear them after they are well past my house. Mahalo for your time!

A: Similar to noise issues with cars and motorcycles with modified exhaust systems, noisy mopeds are annoying and equally difficult to cite as they are often moving quickly.

Here is what the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (HRS) says about mufflers on motorcyles and mopeds:

“10.20.440 – Mufflers. A. §291-24 Motorcycles and mopeds, noisy mufflers; penalty. (a) Every motorcycle and moped moving under its own power on a public highway shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in constant operation to prevent any excessive or unusual noise and no such muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.

“No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motorcycle or a moped in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of such motorcycle or moped above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the motorcycle or moped except a motorcycle or moped that: (1) Has three wheels; (2) Is powered by an electric motor; (3) Has a full body enclosed cab; and (4) Has a seat belt assembly or a child restraint system for the driver and passenger; shall not be required to be equipped with a muffler. (c) Whoever violates this section shall be fined not more than $100.”

Want to Ask the Mayor?

Submit your questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email, by phone at 270-7855 or 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.