Oahu Bans Plastic Bags!

Surfrider's Oahu Chapter has been working for years to pass a statewide Bag Bill in the legislature to reduce both plastic and paper bags. The statewide RAP Campaign worked with other chapters and organizations to form a large and diverse coalition of supporters. But in spite of broad support and overwhelmingly positive testimonies, a few House leaders blocked the popular bill. So Surfrider's Oahu Chapter switched its focus to passing a ban in the Honolulu City Council in the Spring of 2012. After hearing from this coalition of supporters, the Council quickly passed the bill on April 25th! After meeting with representatives from Surfrider and the Sierra Club, the Mayor committed to signing it into law. Although the law won't go into effect until 2015, supporters were thrilled that Oahu would soon be free of these toxic tumbleweeds. Because bans have already been passed on Maui, Kauai, the Big Island and now Oahu, Hawaii will be the first state in the country to ban plastic bags in all of its counties!