Honolulu Weighs Up to $2,000 Fine for Cart Theft

A City Council bill would also allow up to 30 days of jail time for stealing shopping carts from grocery stores.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Property Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single shopping-cart silhouette centered on a deep navy field with cream and one red accent. — Honolulu City Council advanced a bill on October 22 that would fine anyone who steals a grocery store shopping cart up to $2,000 and allow up to 30 days in jail. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your city impose jail time for stealing shopping carts?

Honolulu City Council advanced a bill on October 22 that would fine anyone who steals a grocery store shopping cart up to $2,000 and allow up to 30 days in jail. The proposal awaits a vote from the full council.

Why it matters

Stolen carts have been turning up abandoned on roadsides across the city, and police currently have no way to penalize their recovery unless a retailer pursues a theft case. Retail Merchants of Hawaii argues carts should be treated the same as other shoplifted goods.

The bill cleared committee on October 22 and awaits a full City Council vote. Its proposed penalties would apply to anyone caught stealing a grocery store cart, with the final fine and jail terms still subject to council approval.

The players

Retail Merchants of Hawaii

A trade association representing Hawaii's retailers that argues stolen shopping carts should be treated the same as other shoplifted merchandise.

The details

Shopping carts have been swiped by people, including some who are homeless, and left along roadsides throughout Honolulu. The proposed law would apply specifically to carts taken from grocery stores.

October 22: Bill advanced out of City Council committee.
October 31, 2026: Reporting noted the bill still awaited a full council vote.

Legal Context

The proposal would extend existing shoplifting enforcement in Honolulu to cover grocery carts, a category police say they cannot currently penalize unless a retailer files a theft case. It shows how municipal property-crime rules are being revisited to address items that fall between existing penalties.

If the ordinance passes, grocery shoppers and nearby residents could see fewer abandoned carts on roadsides, and anyone caught stealing one would face a fine of up to $2,000 and possible jail time. Stores and neighborhoods would gain a clearer enforcement tool than police currently have.

The takeaway

Shopping cart theft is now a proposed standalone offense in Honolulu, so residents and businesses should watch for the full council vote that would determine whether the penalties take effect.