Honolulu Mayor Signs Bill Banning Commercial Activities on City Parks

Makaupuu State Park image: Mcdonojj on Adobe Stock

On April 5, 2022 Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed Bill 38 into law. The bill bans commercial activities, such as tour bus stops and professional photography and videography, in many of the city’s beach parks. The bill’s bans exclude film production.

In a statement Blangiardi cites “over-commercialization of our parks, residential neighborhoods, communities and natural resources,” as well as “how that activity negatively impacts, in a deeply personal way, the lives of local residents, including Native Hawaiian families in Waimãnalo,” as reasons for approving the bill.

Bill 38 is considered controversial and was met with protests from local businesses, particularly in the wedding industry.