NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE
RECEIVED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
STATE OF HAWAII
Community Noise Control
Variance Application No. V-1491
(Docket No. 26NRVN-26)
July 31, 2026
Pursuant to Chapter 342F-5, subsection (h), Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Department seeks written comments from interested persons regarding the following variance application:

State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation (HDOT), 50 Makaala Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720, has applied to the Department of Health (DOH) for a variance from Hawaii Administrative Rules, Chapter 11-46, Section 11-46-6(a), which states: “General Prohibition. Without a permit or variance issued pursuant to Section 11-46-7 or 11-46-8, no person within the State shall operate, from any premises or land owned, rented, leased, occupied, or controlled by that person, any excessive noise source.”

HDOT plans to carry out necessary intersection improvements along Keaau-Pahoa Road (State Route 130) at the intersections of: 1) Makuu Drive in Hawaiian Paradise Park and 2) Orchidland Drive intersection in Orchidland Estates. The proposed project involves the construction of two roundabouts to enhance safety and multimodal accessibility. The roundabouts will feature eight-foot shared use paths, bus pullouts, concrete splitter islands, central islands with mountable truck aprons, and street lighting improvements in accordance with Federal design standards. The project area is located within the northeast Puna District on the Island of Hawaii. The intersection improvement work is necessary to enhance safety, relieve congestion, and improve mobility for vehicle commuters as well as pedestrian and bicyclists.

The applicant would like to perform the work during an approximate 3-year period starting as early as December 28, 2027 to November 24, 2030 during the following times:

Sunday, 12:01 a.m. to Monday, 6:59 a.m.
Monday, 6:00 p.m. to Tuesday, 6:59 a.m.
Tuesday, 6:00 p.m. to Wednesday, 6:59 a.m.
Wednesday, 6:00 p.m. to Thursday, 6:59 a.m.
Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to Friday, 6:59 a.m.
Friday, 6:00 p.m. to Saturday, 8:59 a.m.
Saturday, 6:01 p.m. to Sunday 12:00 a.m.

Chapter 11-46 requires that a noise variance be requested regarding the noise limits and construction hours.

HDOT will accept written public comments regarding this application through September 1, 2026. Individuals who would like to submit written comments should reference Variance Application No. V-1491 Docket No. 26NRVN-26 and direct correspondence to:
Courtney Supe,
HDOT Project Manager
50 Makaala Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Email: courtney.k.supe@hawaii.gov
If the comments received warrant it, the Department of Health may hold a public hearing regarding the request for noise variance at least thirty (30) days after public notice. The final decision will be made on the basis of the application, related documents, written comments, and the public hearing, if any.