Honolulu's Sit-Lie Ban (Bill 6, 2014, ROH §29-16) prohibits sitting or lying on public sidewalks in Waikīkī and 17 other commercial districts during business hours, and ROH §29-7 separately bars aggressive panhandling near ATMs and bus stops.
ROH §29-16 makes it unlawful to sit or lie on a public sidewalk between 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. in Waikīkī Special District, downtown Honolulu, Chinatown, and roughly fifteen additional commercial zones designated by ordinance. Officers must issue a verbal warning before citing. ROH §29-7 prohibits aggressive solicitation — physical contact, blocking a path, soliciting within 10 feet of an ATM, bus stop, or outdoor café, and following someone after refusal. The laws have been challenged repeatedly on First Amendment grounds; courts have upheld the time-and-place structure while striking earlier overbroad versions.
Sit-lie citations begin as petty misdemeanors with fines up to $200 and potential 30-day jail terms for repeat violations. Aggressive solicitation may escalate to misdemeanor charges with up to one year imprisonment.
See how Honolulu's aggressive panhandling rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.