LEGISLATIVE UPDATE BY LAUREN ZIRBEL
County
In addition to the many COVID-19 Related Emergency Proclamations made by County Mayors, the County Councils also took some significant legislative action this spring.
Maui Council passed Bill 52 their plastic foodware ban. The ban is similar to Honolulu’s Ordinance 1930 (Bill 40). It bans single use plastic foodware from being sold or distributed in Maui County. Foodware includes utensils, straws, cups, plates, bowls, lids, and clamshell type containers. It also requires that non-plastic single use foodware be distributed only on request or with the positive response from a customer. The ban does not apply to prepackaged food, which means, “food and beverages contained in plastic disposable foodware that has been filled and sealed entirely outside
PHOTO: KEN LUND/FLICKR
Maui
There is an exemption for “raw or butchered meats, poultry, seafood, unprepared produce, or eggs.” This does not include poke and sashimi since it’s provided for consumption
ing process moves forward we will continue to provide details in the Weekly Updates and help members with navigating the implementation process.
Honolulu
“When session does reconvene, the new economic realities will pose new challenges and shift focus for the legislature and HFIA will adjust accordingly.” the County or in a manner intended to prevent the food or beverage from having any direct human contact, such as shelf-stable food and beverages: condiment packets, poi bags, musubi wraps, plastic film, chip bags, cookie and cracker wrappers, bread bags, meal kits, ice bags: beverage-related bottles or cartons: packaging for unprepared food: and packaging for wholesale distribution of prepared food, baked goods, and dairy products.”
without further preparation. Food providers can also apply for exemptions in cases where the change would cause financial hardship or there are not suitable alternatives available. HFIA testified in opposition to this measure and worked to get the amendment inserted to have musubi wraps and poi bags excluded from the ban. We were also able to get the implementation date pushed to January 1, 2022. As the rule mak-
8 | HAWAI I RETAI L G R OC E R | SPR I N G 2020
Honolulu Council is currently moving Bill 41 to provide property tax relief for those impacted by local, state, and federal emergency proclamations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would allow businesses that have been forced to close to apply for property tax deferment. HFIA has testified in the support of the measure and noted that all Honolulu businesses have been severely negatively impacted, even those that have been allowed to stay open, and that all need relief and support from the County right now.
Kauai A Kauai polystyrene foodware ban had passed first reading but was deferred by the Council until July due to COVID-19.
