If the sound of a passing bus doesn't bother you, the sound of Oahu's proposed rail system probably won't either. The federal transit authority says the system planned for Oahu would be between 72-80 decibels; that's quieter than a passing city bus but louder than the average volume on your TV.

But even that much noise is a concern for Waipahu High School principal Pat Pedersen. She attended a the meeting to learn more about how the system could affect her school. There's already a lot of noise coming from Farrington Highway.

"It's disruptive," she said.

She's not sure what could happen when rail comes there too. Many of the classrooms immediately fronting the highway already have air conditioners installed so the louvered windows can be closed to minimize traffic noise.

But one lawmaker wants the entire school air conditioned because she believes there's an added sound from the rail that would be especially disruptive to students.

"There's a squeaking noise that it makes when it stops and when you hear squeaking noise it makes you startled," said Rep. Rida Cabanilla, "and makes you lose your focus."

Environmental planners on the project say that's not going to happen because of the technology involved.

"Squeaking is not related to brakes," said Jim Hayes, one of the project's environmental planners. "The squeaking is related to curves on the track and the track is being designed to minimize that kind of squealing sound."

But still the added noise can be a problem.

"Any traffic noise be it from regular traffic or emergency vehicles does have an impact on what's happening on the school campus."

The projects planners also plan to build a wall alongside the rail to further minimize noise, especially around residential areas.

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