NAWILIWILI — The Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday approved on first reading an amendment to the plastic bag ban that would allow establishments serving ready-to-eat food to distribute plastic bags to customers. Councilman Mel Rapozo said he introduced the bill
NAWILIWILI — The Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday approved on first reading an amendment to the plastic bag ban that would allow establishments serving ready-to-eat food to distribute plastic bags to customers.
Councilman Mel Rapozo said he introduced the bill because of safety concerns that were brought up to him since the law went into effect on Jan. 11.
“Bacteria love to live in this temperature. Bacteria need several things to exist: food, acidity, time, temperature, oxygen, moisture,” said Chef Martina Hilldorf, adding that bacteria can easily grow on cloth after contact with food.
Testimony swung to both sides of the issue. Kaua‘i resident Pat Gegen, who had been an active voice in supporting the plastic bag ban, said the intent of the original ordinance was to encourage people to bring their own bags. He opposed the amendment to the ban.
“At this point I feel it would be a significant step back in the ordinance if we adopt this new ordinance,” Gegen said.
Since Ordinance 885 took effect, merchants can no longer distribute plastic bags at the checkout point. They can offer recyclable paper bags, but many community members bring reusable cloth bags.
“Harmful pathogens — disease-causing microorganisms — can exist on cloth. They don’t exist on stainless steel, they don’t exist on plastic, there’s no moisture there, but they will exist on cloth,” said Hilldorf, the culinary arts program coordinator at Kaua‘i Community College, where she also teaches sanitation classes.
Council Chair Jay Furfaro said bacteria exists in everything.
“The reality is, there are options,” said Furfaro, noting that food can be put in bowls with lids, preventing spills.
Business owners are saying that once food comes into contact with a paper bag, it rips the bag easily.
But what is worrying some business owners more than ripped bags and spilled meals is the fear of possible food poisoning in case a customer takes out food in a reusable bag.
Even though most at the council meeting agreed that it’s hard to trace the real source in a case of food poisoning, the reputation of a food establishment would inevitably be shaken.
“In the restaurant business, food business in general … these proprietors of the restaurants, they’re dealing with their reputation,” Furfaro said. “Their reputation makes their success.”
Allen Okuhara, co-owner of Mark’s Place, said he has refused to let some of his customers take out food in a reusable cloth bag after being told their bags were never washed.
Kapa‘a resident Ken Taylor had a simple solution.
“If people don’t wash your bags maybe you deserve to be sick,” he said, pulling some laughter from the audience.
The council scheduled a public hearing on the amendment for March 2.
On a separate note, the council approved on first hearing a bill that, among other things, allows Sunshine Market merchants to offer recyclable paper bags and/or reusable bags for sale to customers.
Go to www.kauai.gov for more information.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@kauaipubco.com.
