Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
County council approves ordinance barring roadside solicitation within 15 feet of roadways after heated debate
Summary
On July 9, 2025, the Hawaii County Council passed Bill 59, amending county code to prohibit soliciting, receiving or delivering goods or services within 15 feet of a roadway; the measure includes revised penalty amounts and drew debate about enforcement, state vs. county jurisdiction and impacts on people in need.
The Hawaii County Council voted to pass Bill 59 on second and final reading on July 9, 2025, amending Chapter 24, Article 9 of the Hawaii County Code to prohibit receiving, soliciting, delivering or offering goods or services while in a street and to establish a 15-foot buffer measured from the vehicular roadway.
The ordinance was amended before passage in two steps. The council approved an amendment that replaces the term “street” with a definition of “roadway” — “that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel exclusive of the berm or shoulder” — and then added language prohibiting entering or remaining within 15 feet of that roadway. Council members also adopted a separate amendment…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
