HONOLULU (AP) - Honolulu’s mayor has signed three bills aimed at addressing homelessness and cleaning up tourist hotspots.
Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed the bills Tuesday.
One bill bans sitting and lying down on sidewalks in Waikiki, the beach destination that draws surfers and shoppers by the thousands.
The other two bills ban urinating and defecating in public areas. One focuses on Waikiki and the other broadens the ban to the entire island of Oahu.
People are still allowed to lie down on beaches and in parks and other public areas in Waikiki.
The tourism industry and business owners pushed for the sit-lie ban because visitors complained.
The ban on using public spaces as open-air restrooms also was supported by some residents. Critics say more public restrooms need to be open around the clock.
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