Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his staff.
Mr. Mayor,
Q: I live in an area that backs up to a golf course. Six days a week the golf course groundskeepers start doing the landscaping between 5:30 and 5:45 a.m. This involves using very loud equipment for lawn mowing and weed whacking. It also involves using vehicles with the headlights that shine into the houses around the course. Will you please provide me with the specific Maui County Code/Ordinance regarding early morning noise regulations, specifically as it pertains to non-government businesses such as golf courses, both public and private, in a residential area. Also how is the ordinance enforced? Who can I call to report violations? How can a report be filed anonymously? What will be done if the violations continue after they’ve been reported?
A: This is the second question about noise we have gotten from a resident living next to a golf course. You have the right to call Maui Police Department’s non-emergency line (244-6400) to report the noise, under the Hawai‘i Revised Statute prohibiting Disorderly Conduct (HRS §711-1101). This statute includes unreasonable noise as a manner of disorderly conduct. Also if there are leaf blowers involved there is a specific state statute regarding that type of equipment that says it is unlawful for any person to operate a leaf blower within a residential zone or within 100 feet of a residential zone, except between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sundays and state and federal holidays it is allowed between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. This restriction does not apply to government entities by the way, but in this case it should apply to the golf course if they’re using leaf blowers. For more information contact the State Department of Health (Noise Section) at 586-4700.
Want to ask the Mayor? Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa at AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, (808) 270-7855 or mail them to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.
