Noise Concerns

Sound Reporting

If you live on the Windward side of Oahu, you likely in the vicinity of one of the training areas of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, a strategic military installation established in 1918, where service members live and train to this day. You may periodically hear noise from routine aircraft and helicopter flights and ground training. Training generally occurs weekdays, during day and nighttime hours. Weekend and nighttime training occurs as required. The military appreciates the understanding and continued support of the local community. While sometimes loud, this training is critical to ensure military units and service members are ready to accomplish their mission and return home safely.

We want to know what you hear

To improve our understanding of how training affects the community, we have implemented a sound reporting system. The information you provide will enable us to monitor what sounds are being heard, where they are being heard, and the scale of impact on the community.

Through this reporting system, we will be able to match specific training areas, types of training, and weather occurrences to better understand how they factor in to what the community hears. While MCBH’s training mission must continue, if there is an opportunity to make adjustments to reduce the sounds, we’ll try to take advantage of it.

You can report noise concerns to the Marine Corps by calling: 808.496.8832

Or by sending an email to:

KBAZ_COMREL@usmc.mil

Or by completing the form here: Sound Reporting Form

To help facilitate a fast and appropriate response to your concern, please be sure to include your name, preferred contact method (email or phone) and details of the incident. Include the date, time, location and type of aircraft, if possible. All noise concern documents are filed with the Marine Corps Base Hawaii Community Relations Office.

To report unsafe flight incidents, call the Federal Aviation Administration Honolulu Flight Standards District Office at: 808.837.8300

To reach a 24-hour operator at the statewide Airport Hotline, call: 888.697.7813

Aviation

U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force aircraft fly in and out of Marine Corps Air Station for worldwide missions and for training flights around Kaneohe Bay and other island. Other services’ aircraft occasionally fly in and out of MCAS as well. Training exercises and real-world missions require late-night operations for aircraft, pilots, and aircrew. In addition, nighttime training is mandated by Marine Corps Order to ensure air crew are able to operate in day and night conditions. MCBH also utilizes other training areas around the island. All aircraft must adhere to the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), but it is perfectly legal and normal for aircraft to fly over land. However, MCBH has established more stringent course rules in order to create a safe and expeditious pathway for tenant and transient aircraft to depart and arrive the airfield.

Ground-based Training Ranges

Military personnel must be ready to respond to many different situations when called upon. Training and testing activities must be diverse and as realistic as possible to prepare military personnel for what they will experience in real-world situations and ensure success and survival. US Marine Corps units conduct artillery and mortar training, and occasionally demolitions training Ulupa`u Training Area. Marine Corps Training Area Bellows is primarily used by infantry units from the Army, Marine Corps, HI National Guard, and other government agencies, where personnel learn and practice tactics designed to maximize their familiarity with the urban warfare in a safe and controlled environment. This training occurs during the day and nighttime hours. Noise from this training is frequently heard in the surrounding communities, especially those closest to the impact area. Training personnel and testing systems are necessary to achieve and maintain military readiness and safety.

Public Advisories

- The Marine Corps Base Hawaii Government and External Affairs office supports the mission by communicating on behalf of the installation and its leadership - providing clear, accurate, timely information to internal and external audiences. We employ a variety of communication strategies- including internal news and information products, media engagement, and public outreach.

- MCBH GEA provides public notice when larger scale USMC training activity deviate from typical training activities including publishing these announcements through social media, Neighborhood Boards, local elected officials, newsletters, and news releases.

- MCBH does NOT publicize routine day or night training activity. To learn more about routine training at MCBH visit these links (Unit Training; MCBH News)

To view recent Public Advisories click here: Public Advisories

Public Awareness

We care about the communities that we have been privileged to be part of for the last century. Our presence is not always silent but our training is done only out of necessity. We are constantly evaluating and implementing ways to make our operations safer, more effective, and less obtrusive for the sake of the community. These include quiet hours, minimizing operations near residential and recreational areas, and strict adherence to Federal Aviation Administration, state and military regulations.

Our goal is to train the units at Marine Corps Base Hawaii to be ready and able to respond to any crisis or contingency around the globe. We understand that being ready and able to protect our country is not always quiet. We all have a responsibility to preserve the environment and community well-being as we share this beautiful island. We thank you for understanding our necessity to train and look forward to working together in the future.

To report a noise concerns, fill out completely and submit the Sound Reporting Form, or call 808-496-8832. All noise concern documents are filed with the Community Relations Office and added to the Commanding Officer's noise concern file.

Helpful Links

Aircraft Identification

Sound Reporting Form

FAAs Rules and Regulations

FAQs

Marine Corps Base Hawaii engages in a variety of training exercises and real-world military operations which sometimes generate aircraft and weapon noise. This includes aircraft training at MCAS Kaneohe Bay and surrounding airspace and range operations at Puuloa Training Facility and Marine Corps Training Area Bellows. Marine Corps Base Hawaii sincerely appreciates the community's support and patience as Marines and sailors train to defend this great nation and prepare for overseas contingencies.