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Resident tells HCDA construction noise reached 'painful' levels, seeks developer mitigation
Summary
A resident testified to the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority that ongoing construction near Queen Street produced noise she measured at about 119.6 decibels at property lines and 86.3 dB inside her home, and she requested the developer use acoustic controls; she filed petitioner resolution 26-03.
Michelle Apetch testified during public testimony that construction activity near Queen Street has made her home a "hazardous work zone," and she urged HCDA and the developer to adopt industry-standard noise mitigation.
Apetch said she filed petitioner resolution 26-03 and told the board she had documented noise measurements of about 119.6 decibels at her property line and 86.3 dB inside her bathroom with windows closed. She told the board she had contacted the Department of Health's noise complaint unit, which said it would look into the complaint but did not indicate an absolute limit; Apetch said her understanding of a construction-zone limit is about 78.6 dB, which would make her indoor readings well above that threshold.
Apetch said she is not seeking to stop the project but asked that the developer use acoustic blankets, echo barriers and hospital-grade silencers and to identify who is responsible for mitigation and permit compliance. The board heard the testimony but took no immediate action at the meeting.
Petitioner Resolution 26-03 and Apetch's request for developer mitigation were submitted for the record; the Department of Health was reported contacted by the resident but did not appear in the meeting to respond.
