HILO, Hawaii » The Hawaii County Council delayed until November a vote on a bill that would ban plastic bags at retailers after three members called for a public hearing on the issue.

The council had been expected to vote Wednesday. But West Hawaii Today reported Hilo Councilmen J Yoshimoto, Dennis Onishi, and Donald Ikeda called for a public hearing once it became clear they didn’t have the five votes required to defeat the measure.

Yoshimoto says a public hearing is the way to go if council members want to listen to the people.

Kohala councilman and bill sponsor Pete Hoffman told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald the council has heard plenty of testimony. He says the issue has been debated for three years.

Maui and Kauai counties implemented plastic bag bans in January.