Honolulu Considers Fining, Jailing Homeless Over Shopping Carts
On a recent scorching afternoon in Honolulu's Iwilei neighborhood, an older homeless man pushed a worn-out Costco shopping cart through the street, his makeshift "walker" struggling to navigate around obstacles. The cart contained food cans, a blanket and paper, and its owner accused the proposed Bill 53 of targeting homeless individuals rather than addressing the root causes of poverty.
The bill, introduced by Honolulu Council Chair Tommy Waters, would fine those using shopping carts outside store premises up to $2,000 or 30 days in jail, and allows for confiscation of the carts. Supporters, including retailers, law enforcement and some residents, argue it would recover stolen carts, clean up public spaces and deter sidewalk obstruction.
However, critics contend the bill would unfairly penalize homeless people who use carts to transport belongings, without addressing the underlying issues causing homelessness.
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