The Hawaii County Council failed to override the Big Island mayor's veto on banning plastic checkout bags - by one vote.

Five council members voted for, and two against, an override of the ban by acting mayor Dixie Kaetsu this week. At least six were needed for a successful override.

The Big Island bill, authored by councilman Pete Hoffmann, would have banned the use of all plastic carryout bags by next year.

It was similar to a bill passed by the Maui County Council in August, except that the Valley Isle's version does not go into effect until 2011.

Hoffmann said he was disappointed by the shortage of votes, especially with Maui's example.

“;I think this shows lack of leadership on the part of our county, particularly our county administration,”; he said. “;We talk a lot about protecting our aina, but are unwilling to take the step to show we're serious about doing things that are environmentally sound and reasonable.”;

Hoffmann said, however, that he has widespread public support and intends to reintroduce another bill early next year.

Those who opposed the Big Isle plastic bag ban, including Mayor Kaetsu, cited concerns about the higher cost of paper bags, which aren't necessarily better for the environment. The ban would also have implemented penalties for businesses of up to $1,000 a day.

Richard Botti, president of the Hawaii Food Industry Association, said the group favored education over bans.

The group, which represents major supermarkets and retail stores, opposed the ban, mainly because the higher cost of implementing it would have been passed on to the consumer.

Botti said HFIA has a new initiative in which it is training checkout cashiers to remind customers to bring their own bags.

Honolulu county's own version of the plastic bag ban, which would apply to businesses earning more than $1 million annually, has been stalled in committee for several months now.

The ubiquitous plastic bag is blamed for clogging storm drains, choking marine life and polluting Hawaii's shores.