News today from the Big Island, courtesy of Civil Beat:

Following Maui and Kauai’s lead, the Big Island on Wednesday became the third county to adopt a ban on merchants giving out plastic bags. That leaves Honolulu as the only Hawaii county without such a ban.

The Hawaii County Council passed Bill 17 5-3, with Council Chair Dominic Yagong abstaining because he has ties to local businesses. Voting in favor of the bill were council members Fred Blas, Brenda Ford, Pete Hoffmann, Brittany Smart and K. Angel Pilago.

So will Honolulu consider joining the club? We left messages for and sent emails to Honolulu City Council Chair Ernie Martin and Public Works and Sustainability Committee Chair Stanley Chang.

We’ll let you know if and when they get back to us to chat about plastic bags here on Oahu.

(Photo courtesy Flickr user swanksalot.)