By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Staff Writer

Q: I live in a downtown Honolulu high-rise. The noise from the helicopters can be quite loud and jarring when we're trying to sleep at night. What, if any, restrictions are there on helicopter noises and their flying height? Does Queen's Medical Center get an exception for their medical choppers?

A: The Federal Aviation Administration does not handle noise or nuisance issues, and federal aviation regulations pertain only to altitude and safety.

The regulations state that helicopters may operate at any height "if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface."

Helicopter operators also need to "comply with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the administrator." There are no specific rules related to the downtown Honolulu area.

There are more specific regulations on planes and other aircraft. In congested city or town areas, or what is defined as "any open air assembly of persons," planes must maintain an altitude of at least 1,000 feet "above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet." In non-congested areas, the altitude minimum is 500 feet above the surface. An aircraft must also, when not taking off or landing, always fly at an altitude which would allow it make an emergency landing "without undue hazard" to people and property on the ground.

Q: Can you find out what is going on with the empty house at the corner of Bay Street and Kalani'ana'ole Highway out in Hawai'i Kai? I understand the state used the house and lot to store construction materials during the highway widening project, which has been completed for some time now.ÊThey were to have done something with the property a year ago, but nothing has happened.

A: Scott Ishikawa, spokesman for the Department of Transportation, believes you're talking about the houses at 5839 and 5841 Kalani'ana'ole Highway. Public auctions for the two properties have been pushed back to March 2004, Ishikawa said.

"There are still some encroachment issues we have to resolve with a next-door neighbor," he said. Further, state attorneys are reviewing other paperwork that needs to be completed.

A public notice for the auctions will be advertised in October, Ishikawa said. Then there needs to be two months for potential applicants to apply, another two months for an open house period, and a final month to ensure applicants qualify, Ishikawa said.

Do you ever get frustrated or confused trying to navigate the various layers of government? Are you looking for an answer to a simple question but can't figure out where to start? If you have a question or a problem and need help getting to the right person, you can reach The Bureaucracy Buster one of three ways:

• e-mail: buster@honoluluadvertiser.com

• Phone: 535-2454 and leave a message.

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