Maui County is moving to remove a World War II–era ordinance that still, on paper, bars people under 18 from playing pinball or loitering near the machines. The curious law was adopted in 1944 and has remained on the books long after enforcement faded. If the council approves a repeal it would simply bring county code up to date with how Maui’s diners and arcades actually operate today, as per Maui County Legistar.
Council Bill Would Remove Chapter 9.12
A draft ordinance called Bill 155 would repeal Chapter 9.12 of the Maui County Code and eliminate the county’s explicit ban on minors playing or loitering near pinball machines. The measure appears on the council docket and is listed among the items for consideration, according to Maui County Legistar. The repeal would be implemented by ordinance vote at the council level if members approve the measure.
From Wartime Ban To An Outdated Code
The restriction traces to 1944 and a postwar 1945 law that aimed to curb gambling and keep schoolchildren from spending their lunch money. As reported by Civil Beat, the state and county bans once prompted raids and arrests — including a 1974 sweep in Wailuku and Kahului that led to arrests and confiscated machines.
Council member Gabe Johnson introduced the repeal and framed it as housekeeping. "There are some laws that have been on the books for so long, and they’re outdated. They need to be updated," he told Civil Beat, saying the move is meant to correct an anachronism rather than spark new enforcement priorities.
Where Teens Actually Play
Pinball isn’t just a historical footnote on Maui — nostalgic machines and arcade-style nights are back in diners and small game rooms. Paul Kemp, general manager at the Cool Cat Cafe in Kīhei, told Governing that the cafe "We actually market it to the young kids," and that retro games regularly fill up on weekends.
Legal Background And What Repeal Means
County repeal would clear the local code, but state law and court precedent have already narrowed the legal reach of pinball bans. In State v. Bloss (1980) the Hawai‘i Supreme Court struck down a statute prohibiting minors from playing pinball as unconstitutionally vague and observed, "It does not require much imagination to conjure up other areas where a youngster may foolishly, yet legally, spend his lunch money," as stated by Civil Beat. That ruling means a county ordinance like Maui’s has become largely symbolic rather than an active enforcement tool.
What Happens Next
Bill 155 has appeared on council agendas in October and is listed in the county’s published meeting materials, according to Maui County Legistar. If the council adopts the ordinance the chapter will be removed from the county code and the local ordinance will no longer remain an oddity on the books.
