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Council committee advances single‑use plastic bottle ordinance with blind‑vendor exemption
Summary
The committee amended and forwarded Bill 18 (CD1) to third reading after adding an exemption for licensed blind vendors; the Office of Climate Change and the Department of Human Services supported the exemption and some council members voiced opposition to the broader measure.
The Honolulu City committee on April 1 amended and advanced Bill 18, which would add a new article to Chapter 34 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu restricting certain single‑use plastic bottles, after adopting a posted CD1 that includes an exemption for the licensed blind vendor program.
The change matters because the exemption narrows the ordinance to avoid imposing the restriction on licensed blind vendors who operate vending machines on certain city properties; the administration and the Department of Human Services told the committee they supported that exemption.
Kealoha Fox of the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency told the committee, “Our office is in support of the measure and I just wanted to also, make sure that you folks understood that we also supported the exemption that's been added in CD1, for the exemption for vendors participating in the lisonbee blind vendor program, part of the Randolph Shepherd Act.” Fox said the Ho'opono program oversees licensed blind vendors and identified three licensed vendor locations on city property: the Fosse Municipal Building, Kapolei Hale and Honolulu Police Department facilities.
Gavin Abe, branch administrator at Ho'opono Services for the Blind, testified on behalf of the Department of Human Services and commended the amendment, saying he appreciated the intent of the bill and the addition of the licensed blind vendor exemption.
Committee discussion included concerns about economic impacts and recycling. Councilmember Tupelo said she continued to oppose the measure and raised concerns about jobs and recycling streams; Councilmember Tobal echoed opposition. Other members, including Vice Chair Cordero and Councilmember Santos Tam, framed the bill as a targeted step the city can take to reduce single‑use plastics and as a model for youth advocacy.
Councilmember Dosto Santo (as recorded) told the committee he had asked the Department of Enterprise Services for counts of vending machines and estimated the city has fewer than 30 vending machines overall, suggesting the impact to vending operators would be limited.
After debate, the committee adopted the posted CD1 (OCS 2025‑0257) to add the blind‑vendor exemption and the chair recommended that Bill 18 CD1 be reported for passage on third reading. A roll call recorded three yes votes and two no votes: Chair Wier (Aye), Vice Chair Cordero (Aye), Councilmember Marjel Santos Tam (Aye); Councilmember Tola (No), Councilmember Tupelo (No). The chair announced the motion carried 3–2.
Ending: The committee forwarded the amended measure to full council for further consideration; staff said they would continue conversations about recycling options and outreach to vendors.
