Oahu's plastic bag ban officially in effect

The ban will include all plastic checkout bags, defined as a carryout bag provided by a business to transport groceries or other retail goods made from non-compostable plastic and not designed for multiple reuse. However, retailers can provide recyclable paper bags, compostable plastic bags and reusable bags, which include ones made out of plastic at least 2.25 mils thick. 

Federal entities, like the Defense Commissary Agency, are not required to follow the ban. The Navy Exchange is voluntarily complying, but the commissary at Pearl Harbor and others will not be in compliance, according to a DCA official. They do offer recyclable paper bags and reusable bags, but the plastic is not compostable or biodegradable. Stores will continue to promote recycling plastic bags at bins nearby, the DCA said.