Honolulu city officials are weighing a contentious proposal that would make possession of retail shopping carts off store property a civil offense punishable by fines, jail time and confiscation of the carts. The measure, introduced as Bill 53, would allow penalties of up to $2,000 or 30 days in jail for violators, according to the text of the proposal and statements from council leadership.
What the bill would do
Under the proposal, individuals found with shopping carts outside the premises of a store could face enforcement actions intended to reduce theft and carts abandoned in public rights-of-way. The measure’s sponsor, Honolulu Council Chair Tommy Waters, has framed the ordinance as a tool to recover stolen or discarded carts and to address hazards created when carts obstruct sidewalks, bus stops, parks and waterways.
| Provision | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Possession of shopping cart off store property | Up to $2,000 fine or 30 days in jail |
| Confiscation | Carts could be seized by authorities |
Voices from the street
Shopping carts serve as storage and mobility aids for many people living outdoors on Oʻahu. In Iwilei, as summer heat bore down, a battered Costco cart laden with aluminum cans, a blanket and a folder rolled along a cracked pavement. When asked what the cart meant, an older man who was pushing it replied:
“It’s almost like my walker. It helps keep me upright.”
That scene underscores the human dimension of a policy that critics say could criminalize survival strategies for people experiencing homelessness.
Supporters and critics
Supporters of the ordinance include some retailers, law enforcement officials and residents who say the measure is necessary to deter cart theft and to address public safety and accessibility concerns. Business operators and transit users have complained about carts left in sidewalks, bus stops and waterways.
- Supporters argue the bill would help recover stolen property and clear public rights-of-way.
- Critics warn the measure would disproportionately affect homeless residents who rely on carts to transport and store belongings.
- Some observers note that carts are also abandoned after legitimate shoppers choose not to carry groceries back to their vehicles or homes.
Context: homelessness on Oʻahu
The debate over Bill 53 occurs against the backdrop of a persistent housing and homelessness crisis. According to the most recent Point-In-Time count referenced by council discussions, there were more than 2,300 people living on Oʻahu’s streets. That figure has been central to arguments that enforcement without supportive services will not address the root causes of homelessness.
Opponents say criminal penalties for cart possession risk criminalizing poverty rather than expanding shelter options, housing affordability or social services. They urge policymakers to direct resources toward long-term solutions — such as housing, outreach and storage alternatives — rather than punitive measures that could lead to further displacement or legal entanglements for vulnerable residents.
Practical concerns and alternatives
City officials have cited nuisance complaints, safety hazards and complaints from merchants. Retailers report costs and operational disruptions from lost carts, and some stores have experimented with retrieval services or secured cart areas to limit theft. In Kapolei, for example, a retailer had hired a person to retrieve carts as a stopgap response to abandonment.
However, legal advocates and service providers say a strictly enforcement-based approach will not resolve why people living outdoors rely on carts. They also warn that confiscation could leave individuals unable to move their few possessions safely, while fines or jail time could further destabilize people already struggling to access housing, employment and health care.
The Honolulu City Council will continue to debate the bill at upcoming sessions where testimony from residents, retailers and service providers is expected. The outcome will shape how the city balances competing concerns about property, public space accessibility and humane responses to homelessness in neighborhoods across Oʻahu.
