HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC SERVICES SECTION
SERGEANT RANDY APELE
PHONE: 961-2305
APRIL 19, 2001
MEDIA RELEASE
Big Island police are continuing their efforts to enforce laws against excessive noise from vehicles caused by boom boxes and altered motorcycle and motor vehicle exhaust systems.
Sergeant Randy Apele of the Traffic Services Section said police have received numerous complaints from the public about excessively loud noise from motorcycles and vehicles.
Police are calling for cooperation from motorists in general and motorcyclists in particular to reduce excessive noise.
Apele noted that Section 291-24 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes makes it illegal to “modify the exhaust system of a motorcycle or moped in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor.”
He said 291-24.5 also makes it illegal to “use on a public highway, sell, alter or install a muffler which will noticeably increase the noise emitted by a motor vehicle above that emitted by the vehicle as equipped from the factory.”
Violators of the motorcycle law are subject to a fine of up to $100; those who violate the motor vehicle law are subject to a fine of up to $250.
In addition, Section 14-18 of the Hawaii County Code defines a violation as noise from a radio, tape recorder, cassette player or other machine or device for reproducing sound that can be heard from a distance of 50 or more feet and is located:
- On public property, including a public street or highway.
- In a motor vehicle located on a public street or highway or in a public place.
Violators are subject to a fine of up to $100 for first offense, up to $500 for second offense within six months of the first offense and up to $1,000 for third or higher offense within one year of the first offense. If the third offense occurs within one year of the first, the sound system or its components are subject to forfeiture.
# # #
