Question: Regarding the plastic bag ban discussed in the March 13 Kokua Line: We’re a small business, one of the people banned from having plastic checkout bags. We asked the mayor’s office of complaints, we asked our City Council members for Waikiki and Kailua, but got no answers. Why can’t we use up the bags that we bought under the current rules, showing that we bought them prior to the rules change? I have a small business that will be out a couple thousand dollars just on bags.
Answer: At this stage there is no grace period beyond when the ban takes effect July 1.
However, city officials point out that the ban has been pending for about three years, giving business owners ample time to plan ahead.
The initial bill banning plastic checkout bags was passed in 2012 and modified last fall.
"The effective date from the beginning has been July 1, 2015," said Markus Owens, spokesman for the city Department of Environmental Services. "There have been news conferences on the matter during the process."
Meanwhile, business owners are reminded that they are required to fill out and return a compliance form, indicating how business plans address the ban, by March 27.
The compliance forms will then be required to be submitted annually.
Notices were mailed to about 9,200 potentially affected businesses in February reminding them of the upcoming ban, Owens said.
As of this week the Department of Environmental Services had received 3,500 to 4,000 responses.
A second, follow-up mailing will be done at the beginning of April, Owens said.
If you run a business and don’t receive a notice, be aware: "The city cannot guarantee that its list of businesses will be all-inclusive," he said. "If your business provides customers with a checkout bag, this ordinance applies to you."
You are advised to contact the department at 768-3200 for information.
Auwe
To the lady who accessed my orange tree through my neighbor’s yard on March 9. Shame on you! You stole oranges, then hurried to the elderly man who was waiting in the car to make the great getaway. You probably came back with a hook later in the evening to pick the ones you couldn’t reach. It’s sad at your age you still have no manners and probably were never taught to ask permission. Enjoy those stolen freebies. — Karma from Kaimuki
The Honolulu Police Department told Kokua Line previously that this is a common problem, with some people apparently assuming that any fruit hanging from a tree — even if it is completely on private property — is not only ripe for the picking, but free as well.
In many cases the thieves are looking to sell the fruit, not necessarily to eat it.
HPD said someone who enters your property without permission, then swipes fruit from your tree, again without permission, could face theft and trespassing charges.
If the suspect can be located, it would be up to the property owner to follow through in pressing charges and testifying in court, something most people don’t want to do.
One possible deterrent suggested is to post "no trespassing" signs.
Mahalo
To the nice lady whose name I can’t remember, who stopped her car and called EMS on her cellphone when my neighbor on Ihilani Street in Kaneohe fell backward on the road near my property. She also gave her beach bag to put under his head and an umbrella to shield his head from the hot sun. Also, thanks to EMTs John Lee and his partner Ms. Bello. They were very caring. I am sorry this letter is so late. I still have the beach bag and umbrella and would like to return it. —Ingeborg Hopkins
If the woman who helped the gentleman reads this, please call Kokua Line at 529-4773 and leave your name and contact information. We will put you in touch with Hopkins.
Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
