LIHUE >> Urinating, defecating or drinking alcohol in Lihue’s Historic District can result in a $1,000 fine and up to 30 days in jail because of bills approved Wednesday. 

The Kauai County Council unanimously approved the bills intended to clean up the area, the Garden Island newspaper reported today. The ordinance against drinking also includes possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage.

According to one bill, “no person shall urinate or defecate within the boundaries of the parking lots and grounds to the Historic County Building, County Annex and Lihue Civic Center unless in a portable toilet or restroom.” 

Some community members are concerned the new ordinances target the few homeless people in the area. “We cannot ignore them and expect that this problem will disappear,” Kapaa resident Glenn Mickens said. He submitted written testimony maintaining that the purpose of the bills is “to mitigate the issue we have with homeless people who are the major problem in this area as defined in the bills.”

Exempt from the ordinance against urination and defecation are those with a verifiable medical condition. 

Councilman Dickie Chang said he is concerned the public won’t know about the new laws. Council Chairman Jay Furfaro said he would look into having signs posted in the area. He said the area will eventually include restrooms, landscaping and picnic tables.

The law against urination and defecation makes it appear acceptable to do so anywhere but the Historic District, said Ken Taylor, of Kapaa. He said the law should be written to make clear it’s not permitted in any public area.