Public urination ban advances

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

Downtown Honolulu would be the one place in the state where it would be illegal to urinate or defecate in public under a bill that advanced out of a House-Senate conference committee Thursday and will now come before both houses for final votes.

The original House Bill 1828 would have applied statewide, but concerns were raised about making it illegal for children or those with medical conditions to relieve themselves.

Proponents of the bill said the problem is most acute in downtown Honolulu, so lawmakers decided to limit the ban. The area defined by the bill is bounded by the ocean, Ward Avenue, H-1 Freeway and Nu'uanu Stream.

Senate Judiciary Chairwoman Colleen Hanabusa suggested that the bill also be applied to Waikiki, where residents have complained of problems. But House conferees said they wanted to get a better sense of the situation first.

Under the latest version of the bill, intentionally or knowingly urinating or defecating in a public place would be punishable by a maximum of 40 hours of community service or a maximum $200 fine.

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.