Video by David Corrigan | Voice of Stephanie Salazar

The first of six public hearings on plastic bags was held in Keaau on Tuesday night.

Residents shared thier thoughts on Bill 17, introduced by North Kohala councilman Pete Hoffman. The bill aims to reduce plastic bags on the Big Island, giving shops, restaurants and grocery stores a year to phase them out.

The bill appeared to have majority support from the council, but Hilo’s three council members, Dennis Onishi, J Yoshimoto and Donald Ikeda, voted to hold the public hearings first.

Opinions at the hearing were mixed.

Council member Brenda Ford reportedly plans to introduce a measure to end the hearings, which she believes are excessive.

Here’s a look at the remaining hearing schedule:

* 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 13 at Pahoa Community Center
* 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 26 at Naalehu Community Center
* 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25 in the Council Room on Aupuni Street in Hilo
* 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27 at Papaaloa Gym
* 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 in the Council Room at the West Hawaii Civic Center