Plastic Straw Rules: Honolulu vs Waipahu
How do plastic straw rules rules compare between Honolulu, HI and Waipahu, HI?
Waipahu has fewer restrictions than Honolulu.
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Plastic straws fall under Honolulu's disposable foodware ordinance: vendors may only provide them on request, and many establishments have transitioned to paper or compostable straws to comply.
View full Honolulu rules →Waipahu, HI
Honolulu County
Hawaii does not regulate plastic straws at the state level, but Maui County and other county ordinances restrict food vendors from automatically providing single-use plastic straws and stirrers to customers.
View full Waipahu rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Honolulu | Waipahu |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | ROH Ch. 41 Art. 19 | - |
| Rule type | Request-only, not full ban | - |
| ADA exception | Plastic straws on request | - |
| Common substitute | Paper or PLA compostable | - |
| Effective | January 2022 | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Honolulu FAQ
Are plastic straws banned outright in Honolulu?
No, only in foam form. Plastic straws are restricted to on-request distribution. Maui County has a stricter outright ban; Honolulu does not.
Must restaurants stock straws for disabled customers?
Yes. Federal ADA requires flexible-plastic straws remain available on request for patrons with disabilities who cannot use rigid alternatives.
Waipahu FAQ
Are plastic straws banned in Hawaii?
Not by state law, but several counties restrict their automatic distribution by food vendors.
Can I get a straw if I ask?
Yes. Most county rules use an upon-request approach allowing straws when requested.
Will Hawaii pass a statewide ban?
Bills have been introduced but no statewide law has been enacted as of 2026.
Compare other topics
See how Honolulu and Waipahu compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool