Council Weighs Shopping Cart Rules for Oahu
Bill 53 would require owner markings on shopping carts and make possessing unmarked carts a petty misdemeanor.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Property Crime
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Should Honolulu pass laws penalizing abandoned shopping carts even if they affect homeless residents?
The Honolulu City Council is considering Bill 53, which would prohibit possessing, using or offering shopping carts unless clearly identified by their owners. The Public Safety and Economy Committee voted to recommend the bill's approval on October 22.
Why it matters
Waters cited replacement costs of $200 to $800 per cart, which retailers often pass on to consumers through higher grocery prices. The bill targets stolen and abandoned carts that obstruct sidewalks, clog streams and create safety hazards in Honolulu.
Bill 53 was introduced in July by Council Chair Tommy Waters and advanced from committee on a split vote on October 22. The council considers second reading on November 5, 2026, and the latest version sets no fine amount or jail term.
The players
Tommy Waters
Honolulu City Council Chair who introduced Bill 53 in July to address stolen and abandoned shopping carts.
Honolulu City Council
The legislative body of the City and County of Honolulu that is considering Bill 53 on second reading.
The details
Under the bill, shopping carts must display conspicuous markings identifying their legal owners, and each cart in a person's possession would count as a separate violation. Carts owned by the federal government and by the state are exempt, and convicted violators must forfeit the cart to the city.
Timeline
July: Bill 53 introduced by Council Chair Tommy Waters.
October 22: Committee votes to recommend approval on a split vote.
November 5, 2026: Council considers Bill 53 on second reading.
180 days after enactment: Cart owners' identification deadline; no arrests or citations during this period.
Legal Context
Bill 53 applies a marking-and-forfeiture model to shopping carts, extending municipal efforts to control stolen and abandoned property on public rights-of-way. Its identification window and deferral of enforcement give owners a defined period to comply before penalties apply.
Shoppers and retailers would see carts marked with owner identification, and residents could see fewer abandoned carts on sidewalks and in streams. Enforcement would be paused for 180 days so owners can identify their carts before any citations are issued.
The takeaway
Bill 53 shows how a single recurring property loss can prompt a targeted ordinance, and Honolulu residents can watch the November 5 council vote for whether the marking requirement becomes law.
What happens next
The council considers Bill 53 on second reading on November 5, 2026, and the identification period would run 180 days after enactment.
Further reading
Explore more local coverage in Honolulu Property Crime for context on theft and abandoned-property issues.
Live Poll
Should Honolulu pass laws penalizing abandoned shopping carts even if they affect homeless residents?
