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Hawaii Dealers Forming Association

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.

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