HONOLULU, HI – A bill currently under consideration by the Hawaii State Legislature seeks to ban the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers in urban land use districts across the state.
Introduced by Representative Michael Lee of District 50, the bill aims to address concerns about noise pollution and its impact on public health and the environment. The proposed legislation cites the harmful noise levels produced by gasoline-powered leaf blowers, which operate at approximately 90 decibels and can cause hearing damage with prolonged exposure.
Lee point to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s findings that noise intensity is a significant concern for landscaping workers. The bill highlights the availability of quieter alternatives, such as battery-powered leaf blowers, and proposes amending Section 342F-30.8 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to prohibit the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers in urban areas.
The bill would increase fines for violations and make repeat offenders subject to forfeiture of their gasoline-powered leaf blowers. The proposal would also apply existing time-of-use restrictions to non-gasoline-powered leaf blowers.
“The legislature also finds that noise can be a pollutant that affects the public health. Noise can cause hearing loss; can interfere with human activities at home, work, and in schools; and can in various ways be injurious to people’s health and well-being. Noise also annoys, awakens, angers, and frustrates many people. The numerous effects of noise combine to detract from the quality of life for people and the environment,” the bill states.
If passed, Hawaii would join dozens of cities and towns across the United States, including the State of California, that have already implemented similar bans.
The bill is currently under review and is awaiting further legislative action.