Alcohol Laws in Hawaii
- Passengers and drivers are prohibited from having open containers of alcohol or drinking in a vehicle, even when the car is parked
- People under 21 can’t buy alcohol, but they can drink it if a parent or guardian serves it to them in a private location
- It’s illegal to use a fake ID to buy alcohol
- People who are 21 or older can leave a restaurant with a partially consumed bottle of alcohol, as long as it is resealed in its original container
- Drinking alcohol on a public beach is illegal
- You can get arrested for public intoxication if you cannot take care of yourself or create a disturbance, such as fighting, damaging property, threatening someone, making unreasonable noise, passing out in public, or injuring someone else
- Police cannot legally require you to take a field sobriety test
- It’s illegal to operate any vessel while drunk, including boats, surfboards, and water skis
Dangers of Drunk Walking
- Impairs judgment and reaction time
- Inhibits decision-making
- Increases risky behaviors, such as running in front of a car or crossing a dark highway
- Limits peripheral vision, depth perception, and glare recovery
Consequences of Drunk Walking
- Death or serious injury
- Public intoxication and other criminal charges with hefty penalties, such as jail time, significant fines, and community service
- Fines of around $200 – $300 for passengers with an open container of alcohol in a vehicle
- Lawsuits from people harmed by drunk pedestrians
Effective Actions to Keep Pedestrians Safe
- Market taxi and rideshare services
- Improve lighting on streets and highways
- Increase safe places for pedestrians to walk and cross the road
- Wear reflective clothing or wristbands
- Lower speed limits
- Educate people about the risks of drunk walking
- Avoid alcohol before walking in public
