Hawaii Plastic Bag Rules Law: Statewide Single-Use Items Rules (2026)

Full Breakdown

Hawaii's legislature has not preempted county regulation of single-use plastics, allowing each county to adopt independent ordinances. Honolulu (ROH Chapter 9, Article 9), Maui County (Title 20.26), Hawaii County (HCC Chapter 14, Article 14), and Kauai County (KCC Chapter 8) all prohibit retailers from providing non-recyclable plastic checkout bags at point of sale. Most ordinances also restrict thin compostable bags and require minimum recycled content for paper bags. Fees on reusable or paper bags vary by county. The combined effect is that retailers across Hawaii must offer reusable, paper, or compliant compostable bags only. Statewide grocery and retail chains generally comply with the most restrictive county rule across all locations.

Violations & Penalties

County ordinance violations typically carry $100 to $1,000 fines per offense, escalating with repeat offenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Hawaii state plastic bag ban?

Not technically. Each county has its own ordinance, but together they ban plastic bags statewide.

Can retailers charge for paper bags?

Yes. Most county ordinances allow or require a minimum charge for paper or reusable bags.

Does the state preempt county rules?

No. Counties retain authority to regulate single-use plastics.

Sources

Source

Hawaii Plastic Bag Rules: De Facto Statewide Ban via Counties