Honolulu Council Proposes Fines and Jail Time for Homeless Using Store Carts
Honolulu’s City Council introduced Bill 53, which would make possessing a shopping cart outside a store punishable by up to $2,000 in fines or 30 days in jail.
Honolulu officials are moving forward with Bill 53, a proposal that would penalize anyone found using a shopping cart outside a retail property with fines up to $2,000 or a maximum of 30 days in jail, and allow confiscation of the cart. Council Chair Tommy Waters says the legislation is needed to stop cart theft and the hazards posed by abandoned carts on sidewalks, transit stops and in streams. Retail groups and police officers support the bill, citing costs to replace carts and safety concerns such as blocked wheelchair access and clogged waterways.
Opponents, including advocates from the Institute for Human Services, contend the law would disproportionately target homeless individuals who rely on carts to carry their belongings and would not address the underlying causes of homelessness. The proposal passed its first reading on Aug. 12, with council members Scott Nishimoto, Val Okimoto, Augie Tulba and Matt Weyer voting in favor, while Radiant Cordero and Esther Kiaʻāina voted yes with reservations and Tyler Dos Santos Tam was absent.
Why it matters
The bill could criminalize a basic survival tool for homeless residents, sparking debate over how cities address poverty and public safety.
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