The roaring of leaf blowers on Oahu’s lawns could soon be silenced.

The Honolulu City Council voted unanimously today to give Bill 38 preliminary approval. The bill prohibiting the use of gas-powered leaf blowers on Oahu was introduced after state Act 206 became law on July 7 without Gov. Linda Lingle’s signature. Act 206 restricted the use of leaf blowers to between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. It also bans residents from using leaf blowers on federal and state holidays. Violators are subjected to a maximum fine of $500.

Supporters of Bill 38 want the machines to be eliminated, while opponents point out the negative effects the bill could have on small landscape businesses.

Norman Wilhoite, owner of Ohana Lawn Service in Kailua, told the Council he saw Act 206 as a reasonable compromise. However, he is strongly against Bill 38. He said the bill could decrease his business revenue by 30 to 40 percent and potentially put small landscapers out of business.

“Raking and sweeping does not work when you do things on a large scale like our industry is doing,” he told Civil Beat. “If you have to go back to prehistoric means of completing these jobs, it will definitely impact us financially, limit the work we do and decrease the people we employ,” Wilhoite said.

Dennis Ahi, a Salt Lake resident, was one of two supporters who spoke in favor of the bill. He said the noise of his densely populated neighborhood disturbs him. He thanked Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi for introducing the legislation.

After being approached by landscape workers at his church last Sunday, Councilman Romy Cachola said he would like to discuss what residents and business owners will do with their leaf blowers should the bill pass. Residents told him they wanted refunds for their leaf blowers. (Electric blowers would still be allowed under the bill.)

“During the committee meeting, hopefully they will discuss these kinds of things,” Cachola said. The council still must hold two more votes before the bill becomes law.

Council members Ikaika Anderson and Donovan Dela Cruz also said they had concerns with the bill. Councilman Rod Tam suggested the city should study the state law more deeply before making a decision, and conduct public hearings to hear response to the proposal. While the council passed the bill on first reading, generally a formality, it was clear that many on the panel had serious concerns about the proposal. So final passage is in no way guaranteed.

The next City Council meeting will be held on Aug. 18, 2010.