2024-06-06 Liquor Commission Minutes Kona

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Takase: And that's kind of the reports we get from most of our people applying for it, it's just like you guys were so fast, and now we're just like stuck in it. And we kind of warn them of what's going to happen, but as much as possible we try to get rid of the red tape. We've kind of gotten away from having to do a full inspection by Building, if they provide us with the Certificate of Occupancy, is which is what they need to get the building approved, we will accept that and not make them turn around and go back through the process again. We can't just ignore all the requirements, so we're kind of stuck, but I will raise it with those Department heads. I'm sure they have that complaint not only from our liquor applicants, but I think the public in general is up and arms about it. Greenwell: Ms. Chair, as pro -business as Gerald is, and looking at these people that are trying to start businesses, I don't want to get to the point where we are rubber- stamping all the extensions, and giving extensions out to everybody that comes with some justified reason on their behalf. We haven't heard from the other side, but yet we give extensions on their behalf and not the other side. So, I don't want to be considered just giving them a one-year extension just for the asking. Nishimoto: So, it has been an issue more common than not, and in recognizing it, if we go to speak to Department heads to see what might be going on, maybe they might have some defense, I'm not sure. You know, maybe there is something else like you said, that we're not able to hear as well. So I think that would be like the first step in trying to resolve the issue of the extensions that have been requested. And we have been approving based on, like you know Mr. Tepper's letter, has shown like dates and requests after requests, and it's almost like a runaround of things that he needed to do, which is unfortunate, and we are pro -business. So, in trying to work with everyone, think our next step would be like Director Takase said, to talk with them to see what might be the issue, because it is something that we are facing, and we would like to resolve or bring some resolution to. So, I think that would be our next steps, and they are good next steps because we would like to work amicably within all the Departments, as well as all our applicants. Okay, any other discussion? Okabe: I think maybe we should contact the Deputy Managing Director, and then you set up a meeting with the various groups to see, I think the best way to do it is to see how we can better communicate the situation that we have. So, the meeting is not to point fingers at one specific Department, but as we move forward, how could we make the process better so that we don't have this kind of complaints? So, if you use it in that context, I think it might be more acceptable by the Departments in regards to your statement that they don't want to be blamed with certain things. We just want to be proactive so that moving forward, because we can see a pattern that they have delays and things like that with the liquor applications. Nishimoto: It's a little bit difficult because it's obvious the reasons why we are being asked to extend is solely towards that Department, but there might be others. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION MEETING - THURSDAY, JUNE 61 2024 - KONA PAGE 22 OF 38