Q. Our new next-door neighbors are very noisy and inconsiderate. They speak very loudly to each other and their children and they constantly have very loud drunken parties that last till 2 or 3 in the morning.

We have tolerated this for several months and have spoken to them but had to call police twice in the last several weeks. I do not want to deprive them of their enjoyment but they are depriving us of sleep and peace.

A. Seeking help from the Mediation Center of the Pacific could be a more low-key alternative to calling 911.

The center helps parties work through a variety of issues, such as neighborly disputes that don't involve criminal activity.

Mediators who have no vested interest in the case offer both sides a neutral place to describe their problems and consider their options, said Nathan Nikaido, mediator and program development manager.

A successful mediation session will end with a negotiated written agreement that both sides will sign — and hopefully live up to.

There is a fee of $50 per party, with a $10 non-refundable administrative fee for the person who makes the initial call.

However, if you can't afford to pay, the fees could be waived, depending on the circumstances. "We won't turn anyone away because of the fees," Nikaido said.

To find out more, call 521-6767 or visit www.mediatehawaii.org.

Q. My neighbor refuses to maintain her yard on a regular basis. Because of her neglect, weeds now grow over the sidewalk and onto her driveway, causing the neighborhood residents to use the street when walking.

Since we live near a ravine we feel that this leads to a rodent problem and a mosquito breeding ground.

Is there some government venue where she can be cited for the neglect or the weeds covering the sidewalk?

A. People whose homes are along public roads can call the city residential code enforcement branch at 768-8280. However, you indicated that you live on a private roadway, which makes it a private civil dispute rather than one where the city is likely to intercede.

If your neighbor's yard really is attracting rodents and mosquitoes, however, you might want to call the Department of Health's Vector Control Branch at 483-2535 to see if someone there can help.