Honolulu Cart Bill Moves Forward
Council members voted to send legislation restricting off-store shopping carts back to committee after a contentious public hearing.
By Sofia Ramirez ·
Honolulu City Council members voted to advance a bill that restricts where residents can use shopping carts.
The measure passed its second reading on Thursday. It now returns to committee for further review.
The council has debated the issue for months. Supporters argue that carts left on streets block sidewalks and create traffic hazards. They want to limit carts to the properties of the stores that own them.
Bill 53 states that a person may only possess or use a cart if it is identified by its legal owner. The cart must also be on premises under the owner's control. A violation is classified as a petty misdemeanor.
The Honolulu Police Department and the Retail Merchants of Hawaii backed the proposal. Dave Erdman, interim president of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii, noted that carts cost between $250 and $1,000. He cited shipping costs and tariffs as factors in the price.
Mandy Fernandes of the ACLU Hawaii opposed the bill. She called the measure cruel and unnecessary. She argued that it criminalizes harmless conduct and raises constitutional questions. Other critics said the law is too vague and could be applied unfairly to homeless individuals.
The bill does not take effect immediately. It must clear additional committee hurdles before the council votes again.
