Honolulu County, HI Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

4) targets solicitation for money near cash-access points island-wide. 2. 1 as engaging in any of six behaviors during a solicitation: persisting in soliciting, following, or approaching a person after a negative response; intentionally touching or causing physical contact without consent; intentionally blocking or interfering with a person entering or exiting a vehicle near an ATM; using violent or threatening gestures; using profane or abusive language likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction; or approaching or following in a group of two or more in a manner intended or likely to cause a reasonable person to fear imminent bodily harm, property damage or loss, or to be intimidated into giving money.

Ordinary panhandling itself is not banned: the code defines "Panhandling or Soliciting" as requesting an immediate donation in a public place, but expressly excludes passively standing or sitting, and street performances that use only a sign rather than a spoken request. The buffer applies to check-cashing businesses generally, but the code exempts retailers who incidentally cash checks for a fee of $2 or 2 percent of the check amount, whichever is greater, and exempts banks, trust companies, savings and loan associations, financial services loan companies, and credit unions licensed under federal, state, or territorial law.

The article originates from 1990 Code Ch. 29, Art. 17 and was added by Ordinance 8-02. 4, so a court striking one part leaves the rest of the article in force.