Moku Hawai`i Mayor Billy Kenoi signed off on the plastic bag ban bill Tuesday, making Hawai`i County the third in the state to ban plastic shopping bags. Once the law goes into effect, retail stores will not be allowed to offer the currently ubiquitous plastic bags for carrying items. Paper bags will be available, or shoppers may opt to bring their own bags. Most Moku Hawai`i stores already carry an assortment of reusable bags, and many actively encourage shoppers to purchase and re-use them.
Fresh produce bags are exempt, as are plastic bags sold for home use, such as trash bags and sandwich bags.
The bill will not have the force of law until after the county develops administrative rules and penalties. Public hearings also must be scheduled and held.
The only state entirely surrounded by ocean, Hawai`i is re-learning to care for its marine environment. Plastic bags are one of the major non-natural killers of marine life, such as sea turtles.
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