Hawaii Dealers Forming Association

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 3/3/2011

New York - A group of Hawaii-based car audio retailers and sales reps agreed to form an association to promote the courteous use of car audio systems, change the industry's perception in the state, and beat back onerous legislation intended to curb loud sound systems.

 Recently dealers organized on an ad hoc basis to persuade a Hawaii state legislative committee to indefinitely defer a proposal to ban the installation and ownership or aftermarket car stereo systems with speakers of more than 6.5 inches in height or depth, with five or more speakers, and with speakers rated at more than 100 watts.

The group proposed the formation of the non-profit Electronics Association - Hawaii and selected owners of five car audio dealerships and a sales rep to form a board, which will establish bylaws and annual membership fees. The fees would be used to incorporate the association, hire an accounting firm, and possibly hire a "watchdog to keep us posted about pending and future legislation that will affect our business," said Carmina Ahmed, wife of Car Stereo Express owner Steve Ahmed.

From time to time as needed, she said, members might be asked to provide money to hire lawyers, lobbyists and the like. Such expenses will be approved as the need arises, she said in an email to prospective members.

 The only costs for now are projected to be about $409 to incorporate and $100/month for accounting services.

Dealer members on the board include representatives of Car Stereo Express, Beyond Limits, Wizards on the Big Island, Pride of Hawaii and Mobile Car Audio.

 Last month, more than 200 people, including dealers, came out to oppose legislation to restrict the installation of car audio products that could deliver high output levels. Legislation has also been proposed to ban the installation of car security systems that emit an audible sound and require current owners to disable their existing systems.

The association said that in the future, it could decide to join the Mobile Electronics Retailers Association (MERA), to accomplish its goals.