2019-06-06 Liquor Commission Minutes

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Breeland: I am still happy to notify you of any events that we have whether they're under 100, over 100, or over 500. We just want to be able to hold more community events such as craft fairs during the day, or farmers markets in the outside area where people can also be consuming alcohol as well. (We would like to hold) more community events to bring everybody together. Again, I'm happy to touch base with you each time, send you a notification, but as it stands right now as you know, we have six permits for over 100 people per year. I'd like to be able to do more than six community events. Nahale-a: Naeha, would you mind introducing yourself so the Commissioners know who you are? Breeland: Yes. I'm Naehalani Breeland, the President of Ola Brew. Nahale-a: Mahalo. Any questions or discussion from the. Commissioners? Vice Chair Greenwell, we'll hear your question and take Commissioner Onizuka's question. Greenwell: Gerald, this could get large. Is there a possibility they need to have a public hearing? If they had 100 or 140 people, that's fine. But, 288 pushing 300, 500, they want to do it more often; where are we on notifying the public about it? Takase: Let me ask you this (to Ms. Breeland). What would you estimate your maximum capacity is? Breeland: I would say the maximum is 800. We would never go over 700 though. For our grand, grand opening on December 15, 2017, we clocked about 750 and everything was fine. But, we decided that was the max. Takase: That's the indication from the investigators as well. They could actually put in more people and it would still be okay. At this point, we haven't asked for a public hearing because they went through a public hearing and there were no protests to the application. To date, we've had no protests, or any complaints about the property. We can schedule a public hearing if that's what the Commission desires. Frankly, I think it's futile. I don't know that anybody would show up or that there's any concern over this Licensee. I think they've done a good job of what they've done. They've provided a new venue for the Kona community and that's the reason they're popular. People want to have events and are looking for locations to have new activities and they've provided that. It's always within the Commission's purview to ask for a public hearing, but my official position is as far as the Department, I don't see the need for one based on the lack of any type of controversy that they've created so far. Greenwell: When you have large gatherings like this, do you people hire private security? Breeland: Yes. For our large events, we have 10 security (personnel) that are there. We'II have two stationed at entry door, one stationed at the entry to the taproom to make JUNE 6, 2019 - LIQUOR COMMISSION MINUTES 19