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Takase: So, since this is our last meeting of the year, officially, I'd like to present to Art, this
<br />certificate of appreciation from the mayor. It's kind of funny because he is actually nominated
<br />to come back on to the Liquor Commission. Shall we just save this and add Commission
<br />underneath? We'll go with the formalities, thank you for your service, doesn't seem like it's
<br />been five years.
<br />Taniguchi: The good thing about this Liquor Department is that they try to help the people
<br />instead of penalizing them, and I think that's very important. But, in my career, it's always
<br />been trying to help people on the lending or advice side, and all that, but I see that you guys
<br />do real well over here, so keep up the good work, because you have good staff. But really,
<br />you cannot just ding people all the time, you going to have to help them and try to make them
<br />succeed, I see Gerald always doing that. The good thing with him is that he has background in
<br />Planning, on the permitting side like that, so he can kind of give people advise. So, that kind of
<br />stuff is really important, especially in a community like ours, and in these hard economic times.
<br />Well, it was a pleasure, good fun working with you guys, and hopefully I'll get back on again.
<br />Takase: Art's position is open, and there's no nominee yet. So, actually, Art's position will be
<br />open, and in Kona, Ron Ibarra's position will be open which is District 8, North Kona. District 6,
<br />we still have an opening, which is Ka`u and South Kona, and that's been open since last year so,
<br />if you guys know of people, Allen Salave`a was the last Commissioner. It's a big district, actually
<br />it comes down to upper Mountain View, I think. So, if you know of people, let us know.
<br />Fuke: Thank you very much for your service, Vice Chair Taniguchi, and I echo your
<br />comments about you know, the Department's attitude. Last night, that's why my eyes is kind
<br />of bleary, I was watching this movie on Netflix, and I would strongly recommend that movie to
<br />all of you, it's called "Bank of Dave." And it's a true story about this banker who lives up in
<br />Bernaby, England, and he wanted to establish a bank that was really like for the people, and
<br />he had to fight against the establishment. There was no new bank issued in over 150 years
<br />in England, but he was the first one, and his whole idea was just to give whatever money he
<br />accumulated within that particular area to serve the community, and the profits all went back
<br />to the community. So, that was very noble unlike the traditional banker, it was called a savings
<br />and loan, I think. This true story was very heartwarming, and I think that to a large extent, the
<br />Department has that kind of attitude, which is a real compliment from my standpoint, and so
<br />I'm not saying that because it's the season, I think we all genuinely feel that about Gerald, how
<br />you and the rest of the staff operates.
<br />Takase: Thank you. I've been through the County long enough that I see what happens to
<br />people, and you know, they come in here with dreams about starting their own business and
<br />things, and I see them get caught in this process and it just grinds on and on, so as much as
<br />possible, I have Brandon and Stacie trying to help them through the process. And we probably
<br />do more than we actually should be, but it's okay because you know, at least they have somebody
<br />they can confide in, you know if they're not getting anywhere with Public Works or Planning, so we
<br />can kind of point them in the right direction a lot of times, and you know if they're successful, it
<br />helps us. But I give these guys credit for trying to go out and do business and stuff so we try not
<br />to be another roadblock for them.
<br />Fuke: And yes, I strongly recommend watching that movie, "Bank of Dave", because it has
<br />like other elements that kind of typifies the Department, like they had karaoke and dancing to
<br />rock kind of music, but that was really heartfelt, but the message was clear, and so anyway
<br />thank you very much.
<br />MINUTES - LIQUOR ADJUDICATION BOARD MEETING - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2023 - HILO PAGE 16 OF 17
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