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Home My WebLink About2025-04-03 Liquor Commission Minutes Kona (Site Visit)COUNTY OF HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR CONTROL LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AT DA COCO SHACK — KONA BALI KAI PUBLIC MEETING / HEARING HANAMA PLACE 75-5706 KUAKINI HIGHWAY SUITE 107 KAI LUA-KONA, HAWAI `I MINUTES — APRIL 3, 2025 I. Call to Order The site visit was called to order by Chair Okabe at 9:08 A.M., at Da Coco Shack, Kona Bali Kai, 76-6246 AIN Drive, #102, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The following were present and constituted a quorum: Commissioners: Wil Okabe, Chair David Greenwell, Vice Chair Gene Nakashima, Commissioner Laurisa Nishimoto, Commissioner Arthur Taniguchi, Commissioner Melvin Ventura, Commissioner Jennifer Wilkinson, Commissioner Jennifer Yadao, Commissioner Absent and Excused: None Others Present: Gerald Takase, Director Brandon Gonzalez, Administrative Officer Keyra Wong, Deputy Corporation Counsel Stacie Waltjen, Licensing Officer Hau`oli Sayles, Commission Secretary Okabe: This is a site visitation for Application No. 24-13, A to Z Owners LLC, dba Da Coco Shack, for an original Restaurant General liquor license, Category B1, located at the Kona Bali Kai Condominium, 76-6246 Ali' i Drive, #102, Kailua-Kona, Hawai' i, 96740, TM K 7-6-015-023-001. 1. APPLICATION NO.: APPLICANT: (9:08 AM) TRADE NAME: PLACE OF BUSINESS: TMK: LICENSE APPLIED FOR: 24-13 A to Z Owners LLC Da Coco Shack 76-6246 Ali`i Drive, #102, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 7-6-015-023-0001 Original Restaurant General liquor license, Category B 1 Representing applicant: Vincent `Coco Vinny' Zaldivar, Co-owner. Representing Kona Bali Kai AOAO (Association of Apartment Owners): Michael Gaudette, KBK AOAO President, Jeremy Mantanez, KBK Site Manager. (GROUP CONVENES IN KONA BALI KAI CONDOMINIUMS LOBBY FOR SITE VISIT) Okabe: This is a site visitation for Application No. 24-13, A to Z Owners LLC, dba Da Coco Shack, for an original Restaurant General liquor license, Category B1, located at the Kona Bali Kai Condominium, 76-6246 Ali' i Drive, #102, Kailua-Kona, Hawai' i, 96740) TMK 7-6-015-023-001. This site visit is to provide Commissioners the opportunity to view the subject property and immediate surrounding area. Due to the environmental conditions and circumstances, this site visit is being audio recorded by Liquor staff and by hand notes. Only matters that are recorded by the Liquor Commission audio recording and liquor staff notes will be made part of the official minutes of this site visitation. Therefore, only Commissioners will be allowed to speak if absolutely necessary. The applicant or parties may speak only if directed by the Chair. Only Commissioners may ask questions of staff or applicant, or condominium representatives, if necessary. Questions from Commissioners should be limited, seeking the clarification of features, detailed questioning should be reserved for actual hearing. Only one Commissioner may speak at a time. When speaking, use your loud outside voice, state your last name, then begin speaking. Speak loud and clear and one at a time so that the recording is understandable. There will be no public testimony taken during this site visitation. Public testimony if any will be received when the Commission reconvenes at the duly noticed public meeting hearing at the Liquor Conference Room (75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite #107) at 10:30 a.m. We will now do roll call, please say if you are present when your name is called. Sayles: Vice Chair Greenwell. Greenwell: Present. Sayles: Commissioner Nakashima. Nakashima: Present. Sayles: Commissioner Nishimoto. Nishimoto: Present. Sayles: Commissioner Taniguchi. Taniguchi: Present. Sayles: Commissioner Ventura. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 2 OF 77 Ventura: Present. Sayles: Commissioner Wilkinson. Wilkinson: Present. Sayles: Commissioner Yadao. Yadao: Present. Sayles: Chair Okabe. Okabe: Present. Sayles: Others present are Director Gerald Takase, Administrative Officer Brandon Gonzalez, Deputy Corporation Counsel Keyra Wong, Licensing Officer Stacie Waltjen, and Commission Secretary Hau`oli Sayles. Takase: We have to note their presence, have them introduce themselves. Zaldivar: Coco Vinny Zaldivar. Gaudette: Michael Gaudette, KBK AOAO (Kona Bali Kai Association of Apartment Owners) President. Mantanez: Jeremy Mantanez, Site Manager, KBK (Kona Bali Kai). Okabe: Okay, are there any questions by the Commissioners? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Takase: We'll let Brandon be the tour guide. Okabe: Brandon is going to be the tour guide. Okay, Brandon it's all yours. Gonzalez: Let's try and keep the group tight, we're going to start at the business where the application is right in front of Da Coco Shack. And then from there we're going to walk the property after. (GROUP HEADS TO AND CONVENES IN FRONT OF THE ENTRANCE OF DA COCO SHACK) So, from here this is the front door, right above Unit 102 is the residential Unit 230, and above that on the third floor is Unit 330. So, you guys can orient yourselves to some of the information that was discussed at the previous meeting, okay and then we'll show you the inside of the business. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 3 OF 77 (GROUP ENTERS DA COCO SHACK) (VINCENT'COCO VINNY' ZALDIVAR GIVES PRESENTATION AT THE BAR) Zaldivar: This is Da Coco Shack where we just got the new floors in, ocean floors and bar stools, we measured it out, we can get six to eight in here. We have Ike's Sandwiches coming in which there's 120 Ike's Sandwiches on the mainland, they've already got a huge following of people ready to come in. So, we're waiting on Cisco to bring us some supplies and whatnot for the sandwiches. We have fresh cocos (coconuts) now, sold about 200 coconuts this last week. This right here is custom tools, had a fresh coconut this morning, but basically this pops right on here and I can get coconut water fresh. We also can open up fresh, cut it flat and put a straw and this also makes a hole. Now here we source all local Hawaiian products, so all the coffees are from the different islands, Molokai, Hilo, Kona, Maui. Island Princess is one of the only companies now that's actually growing, manufacturing, and distributing, and all the other companies have properties here but mac nuts are just hitting the ground and they're importing and stuff. So, we want to keep everything as local as possible so that's why we chose them as our partners as well as the coffee. Any questions? Okabe: Any questions Commissioners? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Gonzalez: We'll head back out the front door to Ali`i Drive. (GROUP EXITS DA COCO SHACK AND CONVENES IN FRONT OF THE ENTRANCE) So, before we proceed through the property, take note that this grassy area between Ali`i Drive and the front of the building is the limited common area that has been discussed for possible future outdoor seating, so you guys can visualize the area, okay but that's not what they're asking for now. So the route will take us through the Kona Bali Kai lobby towards the bathrooms located in the laundry facility next. (GROUP HEADS TO THE BATHROOM IN THE LAUNDRY FACILITY) Gonzalez: Mr. Chair, I would follow the resident manager. (GROUP ENTERS THE LAUNDRY FACILITY) Mantanez: We have signages, you noticed? The restrooms do take a key fob, and these key fobs are dedicated to each unit. One, each unit gets one key fob. Gonzalez: For the recording, can you identify yourself when you're talking? MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 4 OF 77 Mantanez: Jeremy Mantanez, Site Manager. So, we use the key fob for the first door to access the laundry facility, somebody is in Pod 1. And your key fob is needed to enter the restroom. (GROUP INSPECTS THE BATHROOM IN THE LAUNDRY FACILITY) Greenwell: The same key fob works on both doors? Mantanez: That's correct. Okabe: Any questions from the Commissioners about the bathroom in laundry area? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Gonzalez: There's been three proposed bathroom locations so we're gonna visit all three. So, we're going to walk down the hallway, we're going to see the back door for Da Coco Shack, and we're heading to Da Poke Shack location that was listed as a possible bathroom facility. (GROUP HEADS TO THE BATHROOM IN DA POKE SHACK) (GROUP ENTERS DA POKE SHACK) Vasconcelles: Albert Vasconcelles, Owner. So, the bathroom is over there but there's no way out, you guys go in, you guys gotta come out the same way. So, if all you guys go one time, going have one traffic jam. (GROUP INSPECTS THE BATHROOM IN DA POKE SHACK) Okabe: Any questions, Commissioner about the bathroom? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Gonzalez: We'll go back outside so you guys can observe the parking lot with the stalls that are shared between Da Poke Shack and Da Coco Shack. (GROUP EXITS DA POKE SHACK AND OBSERVES ADJACENT PARKING LOT) Zaldivar: We have one more on the other side, and then Da Poke Shack has four, we all collaborate. Okabe: What are those bike things? Is that part of the parking? Zaldivar: Those are mine, I own them. Okabe: Oh. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 5 OF 77 Greenwell: All these stalls have a 15-minute limitation? Commissioner Greenwell. Zaldivar: That's just painted on there, they're my stalls, I can make it anything I want. Greenwell: Those are your stalls, so you can make it anything you want? Zaldivar: Yes, the first two, well actually somebody painted that on there, I didn't. But, see all those poles, I'm gonna be putting signs up that say, "Da Coco Shack and Da Poke Shack only." Greenwell: Thank you. Zaldivar: We can edit any of this as we see fit. Okabe: Any more questions about the parking? There was no further discussion by Commissioners. Gonzalez: We were on the track of checking the bathroom locations but we did the parking lot because it's right here. So, now we're going to check the bathroom location proposed in the residential Unit 230. Zaldivar: Unit 230, follow me. (GROUP HEADS UPSTAIRS TO THE RESIDENTIAL UNIT 230) (GROUP INSPECTS THE BATHROOM IN UNIT 230) Okabe: Any questions, Commissioners about the bathroom? There was no further discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: So, I have one. If they want to use it, they have to let you know, and you'll come up or your wife will come up and take them to the bathroom? Zaldivar: We have a code, we'll give them the code to the door. Okabe: Oh I see, okay. Zaldivar: Yes. Okabe: Okay, thank you. Zaldivar: Thank you. (GROUP HEADS TO PARKING GARAGE TO INSPECT PARKING STALLS) MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 6 OF 77 Zaldivar: This stall right here No. 57, that's one we all control, and then there's two more on the other side of the other parking lot right here, there's two more. Okabe: Any questions, Commissioners, on the three parkings? There was no further discussion by Commissioners. (GROUP HEADS BACK TO LOBBY AREA) Okabe: Any other questions, Commissioners, before we call for a recess? Yes, Commissioner Greenwell? Greenwell: Before we leave, does he want to show us the other two parking stalls? (GROUP HEADS TO PARKING LOT TO INSPECT PARKING STALLS) Zaldivar: This one and that one. Waltjen: So, No. 207 and No. 91? Zaldivar: Yes. (GROUP HEADS BACK TO LOBBY AREA) Okabe: Okay, Commissioners, any other questions before we call this meeting for recess? Ventura: I have one question, this is Ventura, where's the hostel that's referred to? Zaldivar: Right across the street. Ventura: With the red umbrellas? Zaldivar: Yes. Ventura: Okay, thanks. Zaldivar: There's a crosswalk that connects basically Da Coco Shack and the hostel. Okabe: Any other questions? There was no further discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, if there's no objections, this meeting will be in recess until we get back to the original site. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 7 OF 77 RECESSED AT 9:37 A.M. RECOVENED AT 10:30 A.M. II. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Okabe at 10:30 A.M., at the Kona Meeting Room, Department of Liquor Control, Hanama Place, 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 107, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The following were present and constituted a quorum: Commissioners: Wil Okabe, Chair David Greenwell, Vice Chair Gene Nakashima, Commissioner Laurisa Nishimoto, Commissioner Arthur Taniguchi, Commissioner Melvin Ventura, Commissioner Jennifer Wilkinson, Commissioner Jennifer Yadao, Commissioner Absent and Excused: None Others Present: Gerald Takase, Director Brandon Gonzalez, Administrative Officer Keyra Wong, Deputy Corporation Counsel Stacie Waltjen, Licensing Officer Hau`oli Sayles, Commission Secretary Okabe: Please silence your phones and devices. This meeting is being recorded, speak loud and clear and one at a time so the recording is understandable. We will now do a roll call, please say present when your name is called. Sayles: Vice Chair Greenwell. Greenwell: Present. Sayles: Commissioner Nakashima. Nakashima: Present. Sayles: Commissioner Nishimoto. Nishimoto: Present. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 8 OF 77 Sayles: Commissioner Taniguchi. Taniguchi: Present. Sayles: Commissioner Ventura. Ventura: Present. Sayles: Commissioner Wilkinson. Wilkinson: Present. Sayles: Commissioner Yadao. Yadao: Present. Sayles: Chair Okabe. Okabe: Present. Sayles: Others present are Director Gerald Takase, Administrative Officer Brandon Gonzalez, Deputy Corporation Counsel Keyra Wong, Licensing Officer Stacie Waltjen, and Commission Secretary Hau`oli Sayles. II. Approval of Minutes —March 6, 2025 (10:31 AM) Okabe: The March 6, 2025, meeting minutes were circulated via email on April 1, 2025. Commissioners, can I have a motion to approve the minutes as circulated? Greenwell: This is Greenwell, I'll approve the minutes of March 6, 2025, meeting. Okabe: Can I have a second? Wilkinson: Wilkinson, second. Commissioner Greenwell moved to approve the March 6, 2025, Liquor Commission meeting minutes as circulated; Seconded by Commissioner Wilkinson. Okabe: Any discussion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all in favor please say "Aye." MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 9 OF 77 The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. Okabe: We approved the minutes. III. Approval of Addendum and/or Supplemental Agenda (10:31 AM) Okabe: There is no addendum and/or supplemental agenda. IV. Public Statements on Agenda Items (10:31 AM) Okabe: Any statements from the members of the public at this time? There were no statements from members of the public. V. Public Hearings (10:32 AM) 1. APPLICATION NO.: APPLICANT: (10: 32 AM) TRADE NAME: PLACE OF BUSINESS: TM K: LICENSE APPLIED FOR: 24-05 Countryside Cafe Countryside Cafe 16-586 Old Volcano Road, Unit #9-12, Kea`au, Hawaii 1-6-143: 034 Original Restaurant General liquor license, Category B 1 Representing applicant: Madelene Burke, Co-owner. Okabe: Can you state your name for the record and also the relationship to the business? Burke: Madelene Burke, Owner of Countryside Cafe. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 10 OF 77 Okabe: Can you please describe your business? Burke: It's a restaurant Okabe: Did you receive the application report? Burke: Yes. Okabe: Okay, are there any changes to the report? Burke: No. Okabe: None. Director, are there any reports of protests? Takase: Mr. Chairman, the applicant mailed 1 out of 1 notice within 100 feet, 23 out of 23 notices within 500 feet. There were 14 total properties entitled to protest, there were no protests to this application. Okabe: Thank you. Any public testimony on this application? There was no public testimony. Okabe: Commissioners, are there any questions or discussion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, can I have a motion to close this public hearing? Greenwell: This is Greenwell, I'll make the motion to close public hearing. Wilkinson: Wilkinson, second. Commissioner Greenwell moved to close the public hearing; Seconded by Commissioner Wilkinson. Okabe: Moved and seconded, any discussion, Commissioners? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 11 OF 77 Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. Okabe: Commissioners, can I have a motion to approve or deny Application No. 24-05, pending final inspection? Nishimoto: Commissioner Nishimoto, move to approve Application No. 24-05, pending final inspection. Wilkinson: Wilkinson, second. Commissioner Nishimoto moved to approve Application No. 24-05, Countryside Cafe LLC, dba Countryside Cafe, for an Original Restaurant General liquor license, Category B1, located at 16-586 Old Volcano Road, Unit #9-12, Kea`au, Hawaii, TMK: 1-6-143:034, pending final inspection; Seconded by Commissioner Wilkinson. Okabe: Moved and seconded, any discussion Commissioners? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 12 OF 77 2. APPLICATION NO.: APPLICANT: (10: 34 AM) TRADE NAME: PLACE OF BUSINESS: TM K: LICENSE APPLIED FOR: 24-17 Bikini Bottoms LLC Bikini Bottoms Coffee 75-5719 Ali`i Drive, Ste. Al 01, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 7-5-007-016 Original Restaurant General liquor license, Category B 1 Representing applicant: Jonathan Wright, and Eli Waldon, Co -owners. Okabe: Can you please come up and please state your name for the record and the relationship to the business? Wright: Jonathan Wright. Waldon: Eli Waldon. Wright: We are, it's a family -owned business, we own the business. Okabe: Okay, and can you please describe your business? Wright: It's a family -owned coffee shop that serves coffee, sandwiches, pastries, and ice cream. Okabe: Did you receive the application report? Wright: Yes. Okabe: Okay, any changes to the report? Wright: Nothing. Okabe: Okay, Director, are there any reports of any protests? Takase: Mr. Chairman, the applicant mailed 88 out of 89 notices within 100 feet, 202 out of 203 within 500 feet, and two notices to condominium or cooperative apartment managers. There were 156 properties entitled to protest, we received no protests to this application. Okabe: Okay, thank you. Any public testimony on this application? There was no public testimony. Okabe: Hearing none. Is there any discussion by the Commissioners or questions? There was no discussion by Commissioners. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 13 OF 77 Okabe: Hearing none, can I have a motion to close public hearing? Wilkinson: Wilkinson, so moved. Nishimoto: Nishimoto, second. Commissioner Wilkinson moved to close the public hearing; Seconded by Commissioner Nishimoto. Okabe: It's been moved and seconded, discussion to the motion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. Okabe: Can I have a motion to approve or deny Application No. 24-17, pending final inspection, Commissioners? Nishimoto: Commissioner Nishimoto, move to approve Application No. 24-17, pending final inspection. Wilkinson: Wilkinson, second. Commissioner Nishimoto moved to approve Application No. 24-17, Bikini Bottoms LLC, dba Bikini Bottoms Coffee, for an Original Restaurant General liquor license, Category B1, located at 75-5719 Ah'i Drive, Ste. A101, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-5-007-016, pending final inspection; Seconded by Commissioner Wilkinson. Okabe: Moved and seconded, is there any discussion to the motion? MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 14 OF 77 There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. 3. (10:37 AM) The motion was carried unanimously. APPLICATION NO.: APPLICANT: TRADE NAME: PLACE OF BUSINESS: TM K: LICENSE APPLIED FOR: 24-21 West Hawaii Island Proprietors LLC Da Whip 73-5619 Kauhola Street, Suite 204, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 7-3-051:093 Original Restaurant General liquor license, Category A Representing applicant: Joe O'Loughlin, Octavio Cruz-Uribe, and Nadja Taylor, Co -owners. Okabe: For the record, please state your name and the relationship to the business. Cruz-Uribe: Octavio Cruz-Uribe, one of the owners. Taylor: Nadja Taylor, one of the owners. O'Loughlin: Joe O'Loughlin, Co-owner. Okabe: Okay, please describe your business? Cruz-Uribe: We're a restaurant deli (delicatessen). Okabe: Did you receive the application report? O'Loughlin: Yes. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 15 OF 77 Cruz-Uribe : Yes. Okabe: Okay, are there any changes to the report? O'Loughlin: No. Cruz-Uribe: No. Okabe: Director, are there any reports of protests? Takase: Mr. Chairman, the applicant mailed 1 out of 1 notices within 100 feet, 35 out of 35 notices within 500 feet, and 3 notices to condominium or cooperative apartment managers. There were 35 properties entitled to protest, we received no protests to the application. Okabe: Any public testimony? There was no public testimony. Okabe: Hearing none. Commissioners, any discussion or questions? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Gonzalez: What kind of food do you folks serve? Cruz-Uribe: We serve premium sandwiches, rice bowls, salads, and other types of deli (delicatessen) sides. Gonzalez: Thanks for the menu. Cruz-Uribe: Of course, thanks. Okabe: Any other questions? There was no further discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Okay, Commissioners I need a motion to close the public hearing? Ventura: Ventura, motion to close public hearing. Greenwell: Greenwell, second. Commissioner Ventura moved to close the public hearing; Seconded by Commissioner Greenwell. Okabe: Okay, moved and seconded, discussion to the motion, Commissioners? MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 16 OF 77 There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. Okabe: Commissioners, can I have a motion to approve or deny Application No. 24-21, pending final inspection? Wilkinson: Wilkinson, motion to approve Application No. 24-21, pending final inspection. Nishimoto: Nishimoto, second. Commissioner Wilkinson moved to approve Application No. 24-21, West Hawaii Island Proprietors LLC, dba Da Whip, for an Original Restaurant General liquor license, Category A, located at 73-5619 Kauhola Street, Suite 204, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-3-051:093, pending final inspection; Seconded by Commissioner Nishimoto. Okabe: Moved and seconded, any discussion, Commissioners? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 17 OF 77 There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. 4. (10:39 AM) The motion was carried unanimously. APPLICATION NO.: APPLICANT: TRADE NAME: PLACE OF BUSINESS: TM K: LICENSE APPLIED FOR: 24-22 Suisan Company, Limited Suisan Company, Limited 93 Lihiwai Street, Hilo, Hawaii 2-1-003: 027 Original Retail General liquor license Representing applicant: Steven Ueda, President and CEO (Chief Executive Officer), and Normann Petersen, Operations Support Manager. Okabe: Can you please state your name and also the relationship to the business for the record? Petersen: My name is Normann Petersen, I'm Operations Support Manager for Suisan Company. Ueda: Steven Ueda, President and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Suisan Company. Okabe: Okay, can you please describe your business? Ueda: Our business is a food distribution company, and we also operate a fish market. Okabe: Did you receive the application report? Petersen: Yes we did. Okabe: Are there any changes to the report? Petersen: None. Okabe: Director, are there any reports of protests? Takase: Mr. Chairman, the applicant mailed 6 out of 6 notices within 100 feet, 16 out of 16 within 500 feet. There were 14 total properties entitled to protest, we received no protests to this application. Okabe: Any public testimony on this application? There was no public testimony. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 18 OF 77 Okabe: Hearing none. Commissioners, do you have any questions or discussion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, Commissioners, can I please have a motion to close the public hearing? Taniguchi: Move to close public hearing. Wilkinson: Wilkinson, second. Commissioner Taniguchi moved to close the public hearing; Seconded by Commissioner Wilkinson. Okabe: Moved and seconded, discussion on the motion, Commissioners? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. Okabe: Commissioners, can I please have a motion to approve or deny Application No. 24-22, pending final inspection? Taniguchi: Move to approve Application No. 24-22, pending final inspection. Wilkinson: Wilkinson, second. Commissioner Taniguchi moved to approve Application No. 24-22, Suisan Company, Limited, dba Suisan Company, Limited, for an Original Retail General liquor license, located at 93 Lihiwai Street, Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-1-003:027, pending final inspection; Seconded by Commissioner Wilkinson. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 19 OF 77 Okabe: Moved and seconded, any discussion, Commissioners? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. 5. APPLICATION NO.: (10:42 AM) APPLICANT:TRADE NAME: PLACE OF BUSINESS: TMK: LICENSE APPLIED FOR: 24-23 Papa Kona Coffee & Events, LLC Papa Kona Coffee & Events (Restaurant) 75-5770 Ali`i Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 7-5-008:009 Increase in licensed premises to include the adjacent unit, Suite No., REST-2, approximately 2,220 square feet Representing applicant: Nick Stiles, Director of Operations, and David Nelson, Bar Manager. Okabe: For the record, if you could state your name and relationship to the business. Stiles: Hi, I'm Nick Stiles, I'm the Director of Operations for Papa Kona. Nelson: I'm David Nelson, I'm going to be the Bar Manager at Papa Kona. Okabe: So, can you describe your business? Stiles: We're a Hawaiian -American fusion restaurant with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Okabe: Have you received the report? Stiles: Yes. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 20 OF 77 Okabe: Any changes to the report? Stiles: No. Okabe: Director, are there any reports of protests? Takase: Mr. Chairman, the applicant mailed 1 out of 1 notices within 100 feet, 376 out of 382 within 500 feet, with 2 notices to condominium or cooperative apartment managers. There were 233 properties entitled to protest, we received no protests to this application. Okabe: Any public testimony on this application? There was no public testimony. Okabe: Hearing none. Discussion or questions by Commissioners? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Gonzales: I just want to double check, is there a Suite No. assigned to this adjacent space? Stiles: Yes, it used to be Mi's Bistro, so we're expanding to take over that location. Takase: You don't know if it has a No. for it? Stiles: I think it's 2A. Takase: Well, we know where it is. Okabe: Commissioner, can I please have a motion to close public hearing? Greenwell: This is Greenwell, I'll make the motion to close the public hearing. Nishimoto: Nishimoto, second. Commissioner Greenwell moved to close the public hearing; Seconded by Commissioner Nishimoto. Okabe: Moved and seconded, any discussion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 21 OF 77 Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. Okabe: Commissioners, can I please have a motion to approve or deny Application No. 24-23, pending final inspection? Nishimoto: Commissioner Nishimoto, move to approve Application No. 24-23, pending final inspection. Wilkinson: Wilkinson, second. Commissioner Nishimoto moved to approve Application No. 24-23, Papa Kona Coffee & Events, LLC, dba Papa Kona Coffee & Events (Restaurant), for an Increase in licensed premises to include the adjacent unit, Suite No., REST-2, approximately 2,220 square feet, located at 75-5770 Ah'i Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-5-008:009, pending final inspection; Seconded by Commissioner Wilkinson. Okabe: Okay, moved and seconded, discussion Commissioners? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 22 OF 77 The motion was carried unanimously. 6. APPLICATION NO.: APPLICANT: (10:45 AM) TRADE NAME: PLACE OF BUSINESS: TMK: LICENSE APPLIED FOR: T24-24 Akatsuki International Corporation Cafe it Mondo 45-3580 Mamane Street, Honoka`a, Hawaii 4-5-016 : 012 Sale and Transfer of the Restaurant General liquor license, Category B2, currently held by Cafe it Mondo, LLC, dba Cafe it Mondo Representing applicant: Miho Yoneyama, Authorized Rep. Okabe: Can you please state your name and relationship to the business for the record? Yoneyama: This is Miho Yoneyama, speaking on behlaf of Masakazu and Michiko Idemitsu of Akasuki International Corporation, I'm the representative. The restaurant is currently closed for transition from past owner to current. They will resume serving Italian cuisine for lunch starting from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday only. However, starting date has not bee decided yet. Okabe: Did you receive the application report? Yoneyama: Yes. Okabe: Okay, are there any changes to the report? Yoneyama: Well, only the operating hours. Okabe: The Friday to Saturday? Yoneyama: Yes. Okabe: Director, do they have any reports of protests? Takase: Mr. Chairman, this is a sale and transfer, no public notices were mailed out. They did file their publication, which was done on March 16, 2025. To that we received no protests to this application. Okabe: Any statements from public for testimony? There was no public testimony. Okabe: Hearing none. Are there any discussion or questions from the Commissioners? MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 23 OF 77 Wilkinson: Wilkinson, I have a question. At the last hearing you had mentioned March 21 St as the projected opening date, is any date in sight? Yoneyama: These two don't know yet. Wilkinson: Thank you. Okabe: You have a question, Director? Takase: Miho? Yoneyama: Yes? Takase: Are they going to be present owners? Are they going to run the restaurant themselves, or? Yoneyama: They are hiring a manager and a chef. Takase: So, they won't be on -island? Yoneyama: No. Okabe: Any other questions? There was no further discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Commissioners, can I entertain a motion to close public hearing? Ventura: Ventura, move to close public hearing. Nishimoto: Nishimoto, second. Commissioner Ventura moved to close the public hearing; Seconded by Commissioner Nishimoto. Okabe: Okay, moved and seconded, is there any discussion to the motion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 24 OF 77 Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. Okabe: Can I have a motion to approve or deny Application No. T24-24, pending final inspection? Greenwell: This is Greenwell, I'll move to approve Application No. T24-24, pending final inspection. Nishimoto: Nishimoto, second. Commissioner Greenwell moved to approve Application No. T24-24, Akatsuki International Corporation, dba Cafe it Mondo, for a Sale and Transfer of the Restaurant General liquor license, Category B2, currently held by Cafe it Mondo, LLC, dba Cafe it Mondo, located at 45-3580 Mamane Street, Honoka`a, Hawaii, TMK: 4-5-016:012, pending final inspection; Seconded by Commissioner Nishimoto. Okabe: Any discussion on the motion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 25 OF 77 7. APPLICATION NO.: APPLICANT: (10:49 AM) TRADE NAME: PLACE OF BUSINESS: TM K: LICENSE APPLIED FOR: T24-28 Sakura Hilo LLC Sakura Sushi & Grill Waiakea Square Warehouse, 200 Kanoelehua Avenue, #100A, Hilo, Hawaii 2-2-032:095 Sale and Transfer of the Restaurant Beer and Wine liquor license, Category A, currently held by Sakura Japanese Restaurant III Inc., dba Sakura Japanese Restaurant III Representing applicant: Miho Yoneyama, Authorized Rep. Yoneyama: This is Miho Yoneyama, speaking on behalf of Hai Chen He, and 5 other members of Sakura Hilo LLC. The original owner, Shi Feng Zhang, of Sakura Japanese Restaurant III Inc., is transferring 100% of his interest to a group of his employees who has been running his restaurant very successfully. At this time, they don't have a plan to change the way of their operation, they will be resuming the way it has been served. Okabe: Did you receive the application report? Yoneyama: Yes, there's no changes. Okabe: No changes, okay. Director, are there any reports of protests? Takase: Mr. Chairman, this is a sale and transfer, once again. Notice was made by publication on March 16, 2025, we received no protests to this application. Okabe: Is there any public testimony for this application? There was no public testimony. Okabe: Hearing none. Commissioners, discussion or questions? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: I just have one, so if they're transferring everything to all the employees, how does that work? Yoneyama: The group of employees, I think six employees, they formed a separate LLC (Limited Liability Company), so we're transferring the interest as well as the liquor license. Okabe: So, all of them, the six of them are part owners of it? MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 26 OF 77 Yoneyama: Yeah, they're the chefs, you know couple chefs, and servers, accountant, and cashiers. Okabe: Director, would they have to later on, would they have to apply all six of them to come before this Commission for any type of approval if that happens, like six people? Takase: No, so we received their incorporation papers, we vetted all of their personal histories, so there's no need for them to come before this Commission. Okabe: Okay, Commissioners, can I entertain a motion to close public hearing? Greenwell: This is Greenwell, move to close public hearing. Taniguchi: Taniguchi, second. Commissioner Greenwell moved to close the public hearing; Seconded by Commissioner Taniguchi. Okabe: Moved and seconded, any discussion to the motion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All those opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, public hearing is closed. The motion was carried unanimously. Okabe: Motion to approve or deny Application No. T24-28, pending final inspection? Nishimoto: Commissioner Nishimoto, move to approve Application No. T24-28, pending final inspection. Taniguchi: Second. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 27 OF 77 Commissioner Nishimoto moved to approve Application No. T24-28, Sakura Hilo LLC, dba Sakura Sushi & Grill, for a Sale and Transfer of the Restaurant Beer and Wine liquor license, Category A, currently held by Sakura Japanese Restaurant III Inc., dba Sakura Japanese Restaurant III, located at the Waiakea Square Warehouse, 200 Kanoelehua Avenue, #100A, Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-032:095, pending final inspection; Seconded by Commissioner Taniguchi. Okabe: It's been moved and seconded, discussion Commissioners? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. VI. Preliminary Hearings (10:53 AM) 1. APPLICATION NO.: APPLICANT: (10: 53 AM) TRADE NAME: PLACE OF BUSINESS: TMK: LICENSE APPLIED FOR: 24-29 Baan Thai Family Cuisine LLC Baan Thai Family Cuisine Kona Inn Shopping Center, 75-5744 Ali`i Drive, #208, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 7-5-007-021 Original Restaurant General liquor license, Category A Representing applicant: Miyavadee Khamya, Owner. Khamya: Miyavadee Khamya, Owner. Okabe: Okay, thank you, and can you please describe your business? MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 28 OF 77 Khamya: It's a Thai Restaurant, serve all Thai food and Thai drinks and of course liquor drinks too. Okabe: Did you receive the report? Khamya: Yes. Okabe: Any changes to the report? Khamya: No. Okabe: Any public testimony? There was no public testimony. Okabe: Hearing none. Any discussion by the Commissioners or questions? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Takase: Have you connected with the previous owners? Khamya: Yes. Takase: So, they're taking over a space that was Kona Taeng-On, which was upstairs at the Kona Inn Shopping Center. Okabe: Any other questions or discussion? There was no further discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, Commissioners can I have a motion to approve or deny Application No. 24-29? If approved, public hearing to be held on June 5, 2025, in Kona. Greenwell: This is Greenwell, move to approve Application No. 24-29 with a public hearing to be held June 5, 2025, in Kona. Nishimoto: Commissioner Nishimoto, second. Commissioner Greenwell moved to approve Application No. 24-29, Baan Thai Family Cuisine LLC, dba Baan Thai Family Cuisine, for an Original Restaurant General liquor license, Category A, located at 75-5744 Ah'i Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-5-007-021, with public hearing to be held on June 5, 2025, in Kona, Hawaii; Seconded by Commissioner Nishimoto. Okabe: Discussion on the motion? MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 29 OF 77 There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. 2. APPLICATION NO.: APPLICANT: (10: 55 AM) TRADE NAME: PLACE OF BUSINESS: TM K: LICENSE APPLIED FOR: T24-30 Sakura Kona LLC Sakura Japanese Restaurant Crossroads Shopping Center, 75-1027 Henry Street, #108B, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 7-5-004-054 Sale and Transfer of the Restaurant Beer and Wine liquor license, Category A, currently held by Sakura Japanese Restaurant Inc., dba Sakura Japanese Restaurant Representing applicant: Miho Yoneyama, Authorized Rep Okabe: Miho? Yoneyama: Yes, this is Miho Yoneyama, I'm here on behalf of Mei Rong Zhang, and four other members of Sakura Kona LLC (Limited Liability Company). Shi Feng Zhang, of Sakura Japanese Restaurant, Inc., the original founder of the restaurant, is transferring 100% of his interest to his sister, and a group of four other employees who has been running the very popular restaurant in Kona. The only change, my error to create this application report is operating hours, they operate Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for lunch, and 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for dinner, and Sunday, they don't close between lunch and dinner, so it's open from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Okabe: Okay, so that is the only changes to the report? Yoneyama: Yes. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 30 OF 77 Okabe: Any public testimony? There was no public testimony. Okabe: Hearing none. Commissioners, you have any questions or discussion? Ventura: I have a question. Are the new owners related to the new owners of the Hilo location? Yoneyama: Yes, both of the restaurants was founded by Shi Feng Zhang, aka (also known as) Alan, and he decided to transfer both restaurants, Hilo and Kona. They also have a restaurant, Sakura in Millilani, `O`ahu. Ventura: One of the members of the LLC (Limited Liability Company) is members of two LLC's (Limited Liability Companys), Xiao Qiong Lin Yoneyama: Yes, correct. Ventura: Okay, thank you. Okabe: But this particular one the other four or five, they're not related right? Yoneyama: Well, four right? There's five members to this LLC (Limited Liability Company), one is Alan's sister, and one out of four is partial owner for Hilo and Kona, and then she runs the restaurant in Honolulu. Okabe: Oh. Yoneyama: And then, she runs the restaurant in Honolulu but they're all current employees, has been running that Sakura Restaurant for a while. Okabe: A lot of work, okay any other questions or discussion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, Commissioners can I entertain a motion to approve or deny Application No. T24-30? If approved, public hearing to be held on May 1, 2025, in Hilo. Greenwell: This is Greenwell, I'll move to approve Application No. T24-30, with a public hearing to be held on May 1, 2025, in Hilo. Okabe: Can I have a second? Nishimoto: Nishimoto, second. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 31 OF 77 Commissioner Greenwell moved to approve Application No. T24-30, Sakura Kona LLC, dba Sakura Japanese Restaurant, for a Sale and Transfer of the Restaurant Beer and Wine liquor license, Category A, currently held by Sakura Japanese Restaurant Inc., dba Sakura Japanese Restaurant, located at the Crossroads Shopping Center, 75-1027 Henry Street, Suite No. 108B, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 3-7-5-004-054, with public hearing to be held on May 1, 2025, in Kona/Hilo, Hawaii; Seconded by Commissioner Nishimoto. Okabe: Discussion to the motion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. 3. APPLICATION NO.: APPLICANT: (11:00 AM) TRADE NAME: PLACE OF BUSINESS: TMK: LICENSE APPLIED FOR: 24-31 Tacos Jalisco Taqueria LLLP Tacos Jalisco Taqueria Puna Kai Shopping Center, 15-2714 Pahoa Village Road, Suite C-1, Pahoa, Hawaii 1-5-007-069 Original Restaurant General liquor license, Category A Representing applicant: Troy Nakamoto, and David Barajas Ramirez, Partners. Okabe: For the record, please state your name and relationship to the business. Nakamoto: Troy Nakamoto, Partner. Ramirez: David Barajas, Partner. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 32 OF 77 Okabe: Please describe your business? Nakamoto: We're a Mexican -American restaurant serving authentic Mexican food based from Biwamo, Jalisco. Okabe: Did you receive the report? Nakamoto: Yes. Okabe: Any changes to the report? Nakamoto: No, no changes. Okabe: Any public testimony today? There was no public testimony. Okabe: Hearing none. Commission, do you have any discussion or questions? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: I'd like to entertain a motion to approve or deny Application No. 24-31, if approved the public hearing will be held on June 5, 2025, in Kona. Taniguchi: Move to approve Application No. 24-31, public hearing to be held on June 5, 2025, in Kona. Yadao: Second. Commissioner Taniguchi moved to approve Application No. 24-31, Tacos Jalisco Taqueria LLLP, dba Tacos Jalisco Taqueria, for an Original Restaurant General liquor license, Category A, located at 15-2714 Pahoa Village Road #C-1, Pahoa Hawai `i, TM K: 1-5-007-069, with public hearing to be held on June 5, 2025, in Kona, Hawaii; Seconded by Commissioner Yadao. Okabe: Moved and seconded, any discussion to the motion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 33 OF 77 There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. VII. Unfinished Business (11:02 AM) 2. APPLICATION NO.: APPLICANT: (11:02 AM) TRADE NAME: PLACE OF BUSINESS: TMK: LICENSE APPLIED FOR: 24-13 A to Z Owners LLC Da Coco Shack 76-6246 Ali`i Drive, #102, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 7-6-015-023-0001 Original Restaurant General liquor license, Category 131 Representing applicant: Vincent `Coco Vinny' Zaldivar, Co-owner. Okabe: For the record, can you just state your name and again your relationship to the business. Zaldivar: Vincent Zaldivar, A to Z Owners, Partner. Okabe: Okay, can you please describe your business? Zaldivar: We're a sandwich shop / coconut beverage restaurant. Okabe: Did you receive the application report? Zaldivar: Yes. Okabe: Any changes to the report? Zaldivar: No. Okabe: Director, are there any reports of protests? Takase: Mr. Chairman, the applicant mailed 141 out of 145 notices within 100 feet, 224 out of 228 notices within 500 feet, and 7 notices to condominium or cooperative apartment managers. There were 222 properties entitled to protest, as of this morning, we've received 46 protests to the application, we have received 5 voter protests to the MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 34 OF 77 application, and 2 other protests by owners outside of the applicable radius. I would note that we did also receive 36 letters in support of the application. Okabe: Any public testimony on this application? Please come forward. For the record, can you please state your name. Howard: Jameson Howard. I live within a mile of the location for 13 years and I think that this would be a great thing for the community, to have a local place to be able to go and eat food and get drinks, watch your kids surf. And, I know Vinny and his employees, they're all really respectful and everybody looks up to him, so I think they run a really great establishment. Okabe: Any questions, Commissioners, go ahead. There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Okay, thank you. Howard: Yeah, thank you. Okabe: Any other public testimony? Michaelsen: Hello Commission, my name is Jon Michaelsen, I've worked with the Board and Vinny for the past few years in help develop Da Coco Shack as a family - friendly sandwich place, and creating a nice family atmosphere. I've seen a lot of support throughout the community for this, I know that they're going to work actively with the Board and creating a nice environment and make sure it's a beautiful place for people to come and enjoy and have some fresh tap coconuts and enjoy themselves. Okabe: Any questions, Commission? Mr. Greenwell. Greenwell: Where's your residence? Michaelsen: I live in Waimea, but I also live in Kona, but I'm up in Waimea right now. Greenwell: So, you live in Waimea, where do you live in Kona when you live in Kona? Michaelsen: I used to live right here at the Kona Palms, which is you know right down the street. I was there for the last year working on this project. Ventura: I have a question, what's the nature of your interactions with the association Board you said you've worked with? Michaelsen: I worked with Michael and Jeremy over the last two years as we developed this, I mean they have a big concern about trying to bring back a business there that's been sitting empty there for 20 years almost, and having Da Poke Shack has been great but we've wanted to expand and make it more services for the guests. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 35 OF 77 Many have arrived there looking for places to get their coffee and get sandwiches, and being coconut lovers, we love supporting the community, we have groves all across the County, bringing fresh tap coconuts. And cool experience, people come in, they get their coconuts, they take their photos, and it's been very positive, it's been really good. And I have a good relationship with Michael, and a good relationship with Jeremy. In our determination that we try to make this very family -friendly and serving the guests you know, and bring back some life to the property. Okabe: Any other questions, Commissioners? Takase: So, are you representing Vinny? Michaelsen: I've been helping Vinny over the years, I've been in Hawaii for 35 years. I've worked with him in the mainland and here, I've seen him do nothing but professional, determined to work with the Board, and supportive. My main focus is the coconut industry, and the coconut farming, and you know a portion of everything we do goes back into the community, and he's just done a fantastic job coordinating people, not only County -wide, but here and the whole State. Takase: Thank you. Ventura: So, you are in favor of the liquor license if it can be done correctly. Michaelsen: Yes, strong support of it, I think it will be a beautiful addition to have people come in and have their coconuts, and if they would like to do a coconut rum drink, something of that sort, I think it would be an addition. We keep hearing this from guests, and something that they would want, and I think this is a great addition. Taniguchi: I have a question, so by guests, do you mean guests at that particular facility or just in general. Michaelsen: Guests at that particular facility, you know I would say probably 85% of who comes into Kona Bali Kai is looking for someplace to go and get some food without having to drive to downtown Kona or up to Keauhou and trying to provide that service think is a beautiful project. Okabe: Any other questions? There was no further discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Any other public testimony? Please come forward. Hilling: Hello, I'm Joshua Hilling, I know Coco Vinny here, me and my fiance just moved here, I've been here for about a year. We brought our daughter here as well, and it would nice to have something within walking distance. We're right there on Stardust Lane and not having to go all the way downtown or up to Magic's, and just something that's able to walk our dog or family outings and just pop in and have a nice MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 36 OF 77 eat, catch some sunsets, just have a beautiful time with the family. I think that would be a great addition to that community in that area specifically. Okabe: Okay, any questions for him? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Thank you. Anyone else? Vasconcelles: Albert Vasconcelles, Owner of Da Poke Shack which is right next door to Vince, Da Coco Shack, we're adjacent to each other, I support what he's trying to do. knew Vince probably 16-17 years now, as Jonny said, very professional, never had any qualms with him, he's upfront with what he's doing, he has no hidden agenda and support it. I guess somebody asked me about some questions or something, so whatever you guys want to ask me. Okabe: Anybody has any questions for Mr. Vasconcelles? Taniguchi: So, you're one of our licensees, right? Vasconcelles: Yes. Taniguchi: So, you sell liquor? Vasconcelles: Yes. Taniguchi: Have you had any problems? Vasconcelles: Well, beers. Taniguchi: Beer and wine. So, have you had any problems? Vasconcelles: So, I just made 16 years on April 1st, I think our liquor license was a year after that, don't quote me on that, right around there. Not once have we ever had police called for anything, not once did the Board have to come to me and you know, hear all the excuses, oh they're gonna urinate in the bushes. I kind of police the parking lot there, and you know I blow the parking lot with the air blower because it gets dirty, you know the leaves blow in. So, I'm in contact with the community, I live in Kona you know, born and raised. So, I pretty much police, I know when guys pull in and stuff like that, you can tell that they were at Magic's beach drinking or something, I just make sure those guys not going hang out over here and make noise and stuff. So, to answer your question, in 15-some-odd years, not once did we ever have police called for any kind of drinking violation or anything like that. Taniguchi: Thank you. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 37 OF 77 Nishimoto: I have a question, Commissioner Nishimoto, when are your hours for Da Poke Shack. Vasconcelles: Business hours open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Prior to COVID (coronavirus disease) we were open seven days a week, same business hours but after COVID (coronavirus disease) nobody like work, so. Nishimoto: Thank you. Ventura: I have a question, you lease your space or own your space? Vasconcelles: I'm actually leasing but I'm in the works to buy it because the owners, they're getting up there in age and they have some medical issues right now, so when the time is right because one of them is actually terminally ill at the moment, so we're just kind of like waiting and planning things out. Ventura: Otherwise, when does your lease expire? Vasconcelles: Never really, we have such a good relationship that it's like, they're kind of like my hanai uncle and aunty, you know so I mean there's no rush, there's no nothing. Gonzalez: Thank you for letting us view your business this morning, but I've been to your place, you close before 4:00 p.m. Vasconcelles: No, if we sell out. Gonzalez: Like I see signs when you sold out and you gotta close. Vasconcelles: Yes, when we sell out. The normal business hours is 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but because we only use fresh fish, there's times where I only catch one or two fish or I can only buy one or two fish. So those days, yes we do close a little bit earlier, yes. But business hours 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Gonzalez: Thank you very much. Okabe: Any other questions, Commissioners? Wilkinson: Just one, how many employees do you have behind that little counter? Vasconcelles: Including myself, three. Wilkinson: Tight fit. Vasconcelles: No, it works, I mean we've been doing it 16 years. Would I want more space, absolutely, who wouldn't you know. But this is Hawaii, and every square foot is dollars as you guys know, so you know I gotta work with what I get. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 38 OF 77 Okabe: Any other questions? Takase: So Allan, I guess Vinny is telling the Commission, part of his plan is his customers would be able to use your facility, is that accurate? Vasconcelles: Yes, Vince brought it to my attention that one of the issues with the Board is the bathrooms and because his unit doesn't have a bathroom. So there's kind of this going back and forth about the bathrooms, so Vince called me and said hey, would you be willing to stay open or whatever during business hours so they can use your bathroom if need be, and I told him yes. Takase: Okay, and my understanding is that your employees don't even use your bathroom, is that true? Vasconcelles: No, the woman the female, because I mean you guys all seen it there's no hiding right, a woman doesn't really want to use a shop, you know you go into a mechanic shop like, it's more like a guy toilet. So, if there's a I don't want to say a cleaner toilet, but something more private and feminine you know, so Kahiku uses the Bali Kai bathroom. And then, me and Casey, my family, my daughter, my son, my wife, we all use that bathroom, you know but that's just her prerogative and that's it, yeah. Takase: Okay, and you have no problem with letting Vinny use your place? Vasconcelles: No, if it helps him to achieve what he needs to do, I am all for it. You know, really I agree with Jonny, I mean I've been there 16 years, I'm born and raised in Hawaii, you know there's DU Is (drinking under the influence), there's all kind of stuff going on, getting into accidents, you could potentially kill somebody driving drunk and all that, everyone knows that, right? We hear it on the commercials, you were raised learning how to drink responsibly, and Jonny's right, there's nothing from Royal Kona Resort to Magic's Bar and Grill that nobody can sit down, have a drink and just you know watch a football game. You know Bali Kai has 153 units which is ironic because the Board never liked, the Board actually protested my liquor license back in the day, right? And it's funny because they're the same ones who rent out their apartments and put on top their paperwork, oh home of the world famous Da Poke Shack, but you know it's really weird you know so it's like conflicting and I think it's great. I don't drink anymore, I quit drinking but you know to watch a college football game, you're staying upstairs, I mean it brings so much more to the community, right? Just Bali Kai, you know no one has to drink and drive, go down to Coconut Grove, have one or two drinks, drive back, legally that person is legally drunk. You can just walk right downstairs, get a drink or two, go back upstairs, that's it. And, I went through so much, I don't know if any of you guys were on the Board back in the day, I'm sure you guys were, but the Board was, oh we don't want you drinking, nobody can consume alcohol outside. And then the Board, you guys was well it's private property, but then the tables was an issue. So, if they remove the tables because it's a common area, then they think they can control the consumption of alcohol, which I told the Board back then like, hey you guys remove the tables, I can't police. I serve over 200 transactions per day, they're gonna walk outside, they're gonna walk, oh there's no tables right here, right in front of the shop, MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 39 OF 77 you guys all seen the shop. They're gonna walk around the property, sit down on the sea wall outside, they're gonna sit on the stone wall facing Ali`i drive, they're gonna leave trash all over the place. Now, if they just sit right there, they eat one poke bowl, they consume one beverage, one beverage, they throw their things inside the trash right there and then they leave, no one hangs out there. I mean you guys can video it, you can ask the President or Jeremy for the videos, no one sits there and consumes alcohol by the hour. So, you know intrafighting with the Board and all this kind of stuff like it just doesn't work, I don't understand why they're making such a big deal for me anyway. But then for this, I support it because it's not like, you know I don't drink anymore. You come into Hawaii to spend money, Hawaii makes their money off tourism, everyone knows that. They go to Bali Kai and they're charging them $200.00 a room per night, but yet if one of the husbands or the boyfriend wants to go down and have a drink, they have to drive into town and then drive back. Now you're legally drunk, you just go downstairs have one, two drinks and go back upstairs and it's over and done with, it's not a nightclub he's trying to open, it's a lounge. You have one, two drinks, three drinks, get some poke from my shop, get some sashimi, he's serving sandwiches. I really don't understand the push back so bad on this, it's just you know I'm willing to help him, and that's pretty much the bottom line, I'm willing to help Vinny. You know he's never in the 17 years I've known him, I never once got, for lack of a better word, screwed over by him. He's never had a hidden agenda, tried to push something on me and come around the back door and be like, oh you screwed me over. You know so, yes I'm willing to help him. Okabe: Okay, any other questions or discussion? Gonzalez: So, going back to the bathroom issue, so you let your customers use your bathroom? Vasconcelles: Yes, I do, I let them use the bathroom, especially like parents, oh my daughter you know, the kid is bouncing around. So, the Board has changed their house rules for me personally for me three times in 16 years, personally just for Da Poke Shack. I have the paperwork, you know if you guys want to see it later, on I can give it to you guys but I didn't bring it. But one of them was because we are a commercial entity, there's two suites, right? 101 and 102, Da Coco Shack and Da Poke Shack, they changed the house rules about 12 years ago saying that because we're commercial, we can't use the common area. None of us, including myself speaking with Barbara Ann Goo who owns the unit, we fought back on that, hold on we pay CAM (common area and maintenance). So, we're paying common area and maintenance, but we can't use the common area, that's kind of something's wrong there, right? So, they kind of eased back a little bit. Then they was, okay you can use the bathroom and the common areas, but your customers cannot. I'm like okay but why is that? Oh because they're not, I forget the terminology they used but, long story short, 86% of Kona Bali Kai is short-term rentals, they making money off it, right? They're making a profit, that's commercial and their visitors who spend one night, two nights, three nights, one week can use the pool, can use the bathroom, can do whatever they want, but our customers can't? So, that's kind of you know a touchy subject right now and stuff like that, they left me alone for a long time because I'm gonna call my attorney. Llet's just go, I'm not MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 40 OF 77 gonna argue with you guys, I'm not an attorney, I don't know all the rules, we'll get my attorney involved, and they just kind of stepped back. And they're like oh you know, they leaved me alone, and then now, and I told him when he was trying to get the suite next to me, I told him, I said dude the Board, they're not fun. These guys are going to try everything in their power to block, screw you over, I was going to use a different word but I can't. And I told him, I warned him as a friend, I said hey, you're gonna meet so much resistance it's ridiculous, and this guy didn't listen to me, and now this is happening. So, and that's just being true, 100% honest. Gonzalez: Mr. Vasconcelles, I have one more question. I think you had mentioned that you would be offering poke and sashimi if he gets underway, so are you contemplating expanding your hours and your days of operation? Vasconcelles: If things go according to plan, yes, I'm expanding. Gonzalez: And, you don't see any problem if that happens because you guys are sharing parking, so you don't see any problems with that, though? Vasconcelles: No. Gonzalez: Okay. Vasconcelles: And then sorry, one more thing on the bathroom issue, I know you guys all came into the shop, you guys looked at the bathroom and then someone, oh you know you cannot have this, you cannot be open, you cannot have the mop. Okay, don't know the rules, this is all new to me, so if the rules, if I have to adjust something in my shop, I'm not going to say that I'm going to bend over backwards to give up my shop for him. You know, I will try and help as much as I possibly can, you know within not jeopardizing my business, you know but I will help a friend. You guys seen the mop bucket in there, oh that cannot be there, I don't know the rules, I can move it if that's an issue. Takase: You want to put the benches back at your place? Vasconcelles: No, it's still there the ones right in front of my shop? Takase: Yes. Gonzalez: It's there. Vasconcelles: Yeah, because what happened was that actually is the common area, and I know you can't see it now but when I first got there, the Board suggested cementing it because it was just a walkway. So, where the tables are it was grass, the Board actually suggested cementing it and I can put two tables there. And then the Board changes, and people come and go and then they start, oh you know we don't like people sitting there, we're gonna make hakaka with the Board. So, they actually contacted you guys and I had to go to a couple of meetings for that because the Board MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 41 OF 77 was trying to have my liquor license revoked. And, I guess I did everything correct, was operating with my license within your guys rules, and I want to say maybe it was Frendo, I forget it was so long ago. But, it was up to the decision of the Board, not you guys, it was the Board if they wanted to take the tables away because you guys have no jurisdiction over that. But as far as the liquor license is concerned, I was operating within the rules, so it was real fast but I mean they really tried to screw me over with that. You know, it just didn't make sense like I'm still gonna have my liquor license, you guys gonna move the tables, people they're wet, they just came out of Magic's swimming, and they don't want to jump back in their car, they're gonna sit on the stone wall. So, unless the Board is gonna have security just for my customers, just because of two tables, like I said you guys can call HPD (Hawai'i Police Department), look for any kind of reports, anything, not a single fight. The only time police had to be called to the parking lot and to my unit was because the homeless. Homeless comes over there and they want free food or something, I try to talk to them, I give them free food. I know Caleb Pacheco, I don't know if you guys know that kid, he's homeless over there, that's the one that the father was a police officer and he shot the mom in front of him? I feed him almost on a daily basis. Okabe: Is he on a bike? Vasconcelles: No, he doesn't have a bike, he's a young kid 27 years old, the dad 's up for parole, but you know you got to work with the community, this not Arizona, this is not Mississippi, this is not Washington, this is Hawaii. And, if you guys all born and raised in Hawaii, everybody kokua, everybody take care and try help each other out. When you pay your taxes in Arizona, then you have enough money to buy a condominium here, and then you start telling a local boy born and raised, you cannot do this, you cannot do that, like something's wrong. I got the police called on me for going outside, my stringy pieces from the poke, I was giving it to the eels so when I go ulua fishing, know where the eels is, I can take them. And this is 100% honesty, they called the DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) on top me, and they came down. had to go to court and they gave me a ticket because you cannot actually feed the fish, you have to be actively fishing or spearing. So, basically Judge, oh what was that name, Uncle Kern's sister, but anyway, I went to court and she was like, Al, from now on when you do that, just have a spear in your hand. The judge told me that or have a fishing pole, but I mean like really? I know where the eels is so I can go ulua fishing, I'm not going to kill that eel, put it in my ice box or my freezer, when I'm ready to go then I'm gonna take it out. You know, and I had to go to court, wow what was her name, Matsunaga, Judge Matsunaga. And she made me go last because she wanted to talk to me, so I had to stay there all day and then she asked, what's going on? I'm like, I just was, the eels is right there, I can go ulua, I like one fresh bait. If you guys fish or know anything about fishing, the fresher the bait, the more you going catch, right? And then, she was like, you cannot do that, here's the rules and stuff, I'm like this is kind of messed up. And she said, just have a spear or a fishing pole in your hand, and then they cannot say nothing. And I mean you know, when you get people calling the police because I'm you know feeding the eels, it's like geez man really? I mean, those people no longer reside at Bali Kai anymore, but that's just one of the things I go through being a local resident born and raised, trying to stay in Hawaii and not have to move to Vegas MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 42 OF 77 like everybody else. So you know, I'm trying to help him out, because I really don't see anything bad with it. I mean it can get out of hand, hell yeah it can, anytime you have alcohol, yeah it can go sideward real quick. But, if he does it right, it's a positive, and think he will do it. He doesn't consume alcohol either, this is totally a business, that's it that's all it is. He doesn't drink, I don't drink anymore, it's been over a year so, it's not like I had this hidden agenda, I can go right next door while I'm working and go drink, can just grab one beer out of the ice box right there. So, I got no skin in this game, we're not business partners, he didn't tell me I'll give you $10,000.00 or something like that for use the bathroom, this is just me helping a friend, that's it. Okabe: Okay Commission, any other questions? There was no further discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, thank you very much. Any other testimony? Harris: My name's Alex Harris, I grew up up the road, and I surf Banyans all the time, and I just heard about this from Jameson, and I think it be great to have a cool place to go like the other guy was saying, and pretty much everyone said today I agree with. And I just wanted to show my support, and yeah I live up right in Kamani trees, so there's like a trail, there's a neighborhood, you can get there pretty easily, and for jobs and whatever. I think it's a pretty cool thing, so yeah, I just want to keep mine short. Okabe: Any questions for him? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Thank you. Anybody else, testimony? Owlett: Isaac Owlett, I'm just showing my support, I can't really back Da Poke Shack and go after him, that was amazing. I manage a few rentals across the street, and have people asking me all the time if there's a close place to go instead of going downtown or Keauhou. So, I talked to him, I think it's a great idea for that area to have something like he's doing, so just showing my support. Gonzalez: So, is Banyan Mart an option too though across the street? Owlett: Yeah, it's not a sit down place, right? It's just a little mart. Gonzalez: Okay, thank you. Okabe: Anybody else? There was no further discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Thank you. Anybody else? MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 43 OF 77 Okabe: Okay, anybody else? You can come up, state your name. Post: Daniel Post, I'm a owner at Kona Bali Kai, and I mean it's great Da Poke Shack is supporting Vinny, they're both you know entrepreneurs, etc. but have you had heard, even Da Poke Shack meets maybe the requirement for the bathroom barely, right? And also, Da Poke Shack, they close at 4:00 p.m. at the latest, but what they do and serve alcohol there is totally different from what this is going to be. It's a family tourist destination spot, they have their drink and they leave. You talking a sit-down having alcohol drinks until I heard 10:00 p.m. is what I've heard, so that's a whole different clientele of people and everything. Do any of you guys know where this location is at? This is right in the heart of a middle of a complex, so there's renter owners above, around all the sides, and I've heard you wanted music. Boom cha boom cha boom cha boom cha boom, I heard that, well you had it when you opened up the place, it was loud as hell. So, now we're talking open till 10:00 p.m., several owners, people fly in to stay there, its hotel owners, it's a lot of owners, it's not a small complex. I don't know if you seen the size, what do you get like 700 — 800 square feet? Zaldivar: 600. Post: 600 square foot, right in the middle of the whole entire complex with sit down, music. Me, I love your entrepreneurial stuff you're trying to do but you're selling coconut water right now. Zaldivar: You ever had rum in coconut? Post: I have in my unit, and I can buy it at the Banyan Mart, I don't need to have a drink and sit there and watch a game, I can go to Banyan Mart across the street and buy whatever I want and go to my unit and watch my game, we don't need alcohol there, just go across the street. And even across the street, the Banyan Mart closes at 9:00 p.m., it's a whole different world when the sun goes down here. It's different clients, it's not Da Poke Shack clients, it's people that want to party and all that, and they go downtown to do that in a lot more regulated environment, a lot more police, a lot more stuff. And it's great Da Poke Shack was talking about sharing his picnic tables. Zaldivar: You're against it. Okabe: Wait, wait. Post: I am against it, that's why I was saying Okabe: I just want to say that you giving the testimony to us, so we're not interchanging discussion with each other, you're just addressing the Commission, state your testimony how you feel, and then we'll make the determination. Post: Okay, I just wanted to, my name is Daniel Post, I'm an owner there and unfortunately a lot of the owners are off island, they're not here so they asked me to represent or talk for this and I don't know if the Board was representing the owners, it's MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 44 OF 77 a lot of owners, it's a lot of tax money going into this County, a lot. But anyways, and you already stated that there was more people against it than who were for it in your reports. So, and there's owners there, we definitely have concerns as far as people going there partying until 10:00 p.m., and they're going to take their drinks, the beach is right there, it's trashed, it's right in the middle of a complex, right in the middle. I like what you're doing, I just don't believe in the alcohol till 10:00 p.m. at night, and people sitting and drinking. Okabe: Commissioner Greenwell. Greenwell: Sir, can I ask you a question? How close is your condo residential unit to his location? Post: Probably 100 feet or less. Greenwell: Above, to the left, to the right, forward? Post: Towards Banyans surf, towards the banyan tree, right there. Zaldivar: 100 feet, what's your unit? Post: 302. 301 is the very end unit. Zaldivar: So, you're on the third level? Post: Correct. Greenwell: So, you're a distance away then? Zaldivar: It's about 1,000 feet or more, it's far. Post: No, it's not 1,000 feet, but I can hear the music from the hostel which is right across, as clear as day. Greenwell: No, my question is, how far you live from this location and are you hearing his music or are you hearing somebody else's music? Post: I've heard the hostel's music, and I've heard his music when they did their opening, yes. Okabe: Any other questions, Commissioners? There was no further discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Thank you. Any other testimony? MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 45 OF 77 Gaudette: I'm Michael Gaudette, I'm the President of the Kona Bali Kai AOAO (Association of Apartment Owners). First off, I'm here to say that I'm here to represent all the owners of KBK (Kona Bali Kai), this isn't about my personal opinion. One of the reasons that the Board was not represented in the March 6t" meeting was, first off as Vinny has said, all the Board members at that time lived off -island. And the second reason is that the Board at that point wanted to let owners, individual owners speak their mind about whether or not they were in favor of the liquor license or not. Subsequently after the March 6t" meeting, and we heard from our Site Manager that you have requested or surprised that nobody from the Board was representing the Board. We conducted a poll on TownSq (Town Square), which is a portal for all of our owners, as of this morning, of the 154 units that actually could vote, there's another unit that is owned by the AOAO (Association of Apartment Owners) and is part of the common element, so that's 155 units totally. 65 people that voted on TownSq (Town Square), but an additional 17 emailed to Hawaiian Properties, the management company because they couldn't figure out how to use Townsquare, but they wanted to express their favor or opposition. So, as of today, and I've got the emails to show this, we have 82 units that had been represented by the owners. Of those 82, 62% are opposed to a liquor license for Da Coco Shack, and 32% are in favor. So, that is owners of KBK (Kona Bali Kai), so it's not the people that are within 500 feet away, these are the actual owners at Kona Bali Kai, so 62% of the ownership, and that's just by unit, that's not by looking at the ownership based on the size of the units or so. So, one of the things that we wanted to address that many of the owners have been concerned about, and you seen the letters of protest that were sent out, was obviously about the bathrooms. And in our response to the Liquor Commission, we were very clear that our house rules are very specific, it says that only owners and guests of KBK (Kona Bali Kai) for the residential units can use the amenities of Kona Bali Kai. Al from Da Poke Shack mentioned that those house rules have changed, that is true, they've been changed over the years. I have been on the Board about 6 �/2 years, I've been the President 5 �/2 years, they haven't changed since then. At that point, the house rules are very clear that, for example an owner, whether they're the commercial owner, unit owner, or the employees of that commercial unit, are able to use the amenities and the common elements of Kona Bali Kai. So, but our house rules say that guests of the commercial unit are not allowed to have the amenities. If you were a owner renting your unit as an STVR (short-term vacation rental) short-term vacation rental, those people are guests, they get to use the amenities. If they want to bring a guest, just as Da Coco Shack or Da Poke Shack would want to bring their guest, their customers at Kona Bali Kai, you would be required to, the owner is required to accompany a true guest. And in that case, I'm not sure how that would be accommodated when you have a employee who supposed to be working inside the store. Even if the house rules allowed guests of the commercial unit to use the restroom, you'd still be required to accompany them to use one of the amenities. Obviously, guests of Da Coco Shack or Da Poke Shack don't get to use the pool or the whirlpool, or the barbecues, or the business center. So, that's the reason why the house rules are how they are. So, Al has mentioned that he would be okay with letting the restroom be used at his unit at Da Poke Shack. The problem with that is that he has a huge sign right in the front door that says, "No public bathroom." So, this would certainly be a complete difference than he's done for the last MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 46 OF 77 16 years while he's had Da Poke Shack. Also, I'm not sure that he wants people going into the back of his unit, especially when he's closed at 4:00 p.m., and he doesn't have a restroom for people that might want to stay later, so I think that's going to be an ongoing issue. Vinny and Ashley have purchased Unit 230 right above Da Coco Shack, they could obviously, since they own that, they could leave that open for guests. It could be another place if it was allowed by the Liquor Commission, I guess they could have drinks there too if they wanted to do that, that's up to whatever he negotiates with the Liquor Commission, and that restroom would be his because its his, it's not the association's. So, if that's one of the options and he wants to use that, that would meet the requirements, apparently what the Liquor Commission is looking for. But it doesn't seem that the common element bathroom is available and I'm not sure whether or not Da Poke Shack one is either. Other issues came up about parking, first, one of the things that we should say is that we allow all of the employees at Kona Bali Kai to park in any of the parking spots. So, Vinny's spaces, his nine spaces that he has for Da Coco Shack, and the two that he owns for Unit 230, those don't have to be used by employees. In fact, they can park in any parking, any space that's not reserved at KBK (Kona Bali Kai). So, his spaces would be available for guests, but as you all know, Da Poke Shack is very popular and they only have four spots. Basically, all the parking spaces in that parking lot, even though almost all but one are actually for Da Coco Shack are used up by all of the customers because it's so popular. So, there will be ongoing problems with parking if Da Poke Shack is open Monday through Friday during the day. The parking spaces that are in front of the lobby are actually four spaces that are owned by the AOAO (Association of Apartment Owners), and there's one space that actually is owned by Da Poke Shack, the one that's directly in front of the door of Da Coco Shack. And those spaces, although we never put signs on there saying 15 minutes", but in fact that's what those spaces are used. People come in, they pull in front of the lobby, they go in, they try to find where their unit is, they check in with the onsite vacation rental company. But in fact, those spaces would never be for the intent of the Board, of the AOAO (Association of Apartment Owners) Board, to be guests that would be sitting in Da Coco Shack or Da Poke Shack either for that matter, to be sitting out there for you know half an hour, hour, two hours nursing a drink. So, we would have to, if this were the case, we would have to put signage there and try to make sure that people wouldn't be using those parking spaces for longer. The other issue that's been brought up by many owners and Dan Post from 302, just brought that up, it's about noise. And this is challenging because I arrived last night at Kona Bali Kai at 8:00 p.m., I just flew in from the mainland, and I told Vinny when talked to him this morning, I said it was like a tomb, it's quiet, peaceful, tranquil when you get there, and that's the way it's been at Kona Bali Kai for 48 years. The owners that live there know it's going to be quiet and peaceful, they expect that, that's the kind of experience they're looking for, whether it's the owners, or whether approximately 86% of the owners who operate their units as STVRs (short-term vacation rentals), that's what they expect at Kona Bali Kai, that's what it's been for all these years. You seen all the protest letters, many of them were concerned about noise, okay, and even quiet noise. Dan Post's unit as I said is 302, he's actually probably maybe 300 feet MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 47 OF 77 away, almost on the very south end of the oceanfront building, and he's still hearing noise down there. Everybody who sits around the pool, whether in the mauka side or the makai side of the pool, they all hear everything that's happening in the lobby. Da Coco Shack actually has windows that open and can be opened, and so any noise that's in Da Coco Shack can come out into the lobby area and into the pool area. That's what people are concerned about, they're concerned about having that kind of noise that they have not been having for 48 years, and they don't want that. Okay, that's the reason why, you've seen in all of the letters that you've seen that almost all of those letters are from people that are on the makai side of Ali`i Drive, because they're the ones who are impacted mostly by any noise or any activity. Well, one of the things that I applaud Vinny for is his vision and of what he would like to do, but the truth is Kona Bali Kai is a quiet, tranquil, place. His idea is to bring in some activity that would create a vibe that would make this a more happening place, okay. He believes that would increase values here and it would make this a better experience for people coming to the islands. The problem is the people who own the units at KBK (Kona Bali Kai) and rent their units as an STVR (short-term vacation rental) are not interested in changing that, and that's demonstrated very clearly by the vote that's on TownSq (Town Square). So, unfortunately while that might be more attractive to many people in the community, okay, it's not something that the owners of KBK (Kona Bali Kai) are looking for, in particular the ones that are on the makai side of Ali`i Drive. You saw that there is very few letters of protest on the mauka side units, that's because they're not as impacted. Some of them are actually behind the other buildings, Building 7 is behind Building 6. Building 5 is behind Building 4, Building 3 is way past the you know, right next to the Banyan Mart, so they aren't the ones who have that extra noise or activity. The other thing is that when you think about Kona Bali Kai, and if the market was people at KBK (Kona Bali Kai), you really don't need a liquor license because everybody stops at Costco on the way when they fly into the island, and they can go across the street to Banyan Mart, as was already said. So, and they can cook their own meals so they don't have to go someplace else and have a drink, so they can do that right here at KBK (Kona Bali Kai), but that's not the case when you think about if the audience is supposed to be everybody else in the other community, not the KBK (Kona Bali Kai) community. But everybody else who wants a place to eat and a place to have a drink, well the reality is why choose a condominium association that has two commercial entities and 153 residential? Why not do that business in another place where it isn't going to impact all of those other residential units and the people who live there? And, that's what the concern is for many of the owners in the protest letters, they don't want this to become a place for the community to all show up to drink and party, they want Kona Bali Kai to continue to be quiet, placid, because that's what they expect. The last part of that is that depending on how you manage this, as Al said, many years before I was on the Board, the Board had decided to have two tables out in front of Da Poke Shack. And so, even though it's on a common element, he's been able to have that for many years. At this point, if one of the things that we would be concerned about as if Vinny wanted to have other space, whether it's that grassy area between Da Coco MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 48 OF 77 Shack and Ali`i Drive, or in the lobby to have tables or anything else, while when I was talking to Vinny about this before, we thought this might be a great idea when we were talking about KBK (Kona Bali Kai) Cafe or Coffee Shop. And we think we would have to get approval of the owners but at the same time, we thought that was a good idea. It be great to create that kind of atmosphere in the space for our owners, but at the same time, one of things we were concerned about with the control of liquor is if he wanted to bring that out, how do you stop people from if they want to be in the lobby? How do you prevent them from being in the pool? How do you prevent them from going up to their unit? How do you prevent them from going across the street to the hostel? Again, the issue here for owners is that we don't want to change the nature of Kona Bali Kai, and that's the issue, so. Okabe: Okay, any questions? Taniguchi: I have a question, you said of the respondents, 62% were not in favor. Gaudette: Say that again? Taniguchi: You said 62% of the respondents of your poll were against. Gaudette: Were opposed to the liquor license. Taniguchi: Of the 82? Gaudette: Out of the 82, 62% of those. Taniguchi: But the total owners are 154? Gaudette: 154 plus the one common element, yeah. Taniguchi: So, that's 32% of the owners. Gaudette: Yeah. Well, the 32% is 32% of the 82. Taniguchi: No, 32%, well it comes out 62% of 82 is about 50. Gaudette: Correct. Zaldivar: 46. Taniguchi: So, you got 152, so you got 30%, so 30% of the total owners were not in favor? Zaldivar: Correct. Gaudette: Right, but yeah, because so 82 of the 154 units MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 49 OF 77 Taniguchi: Yeah, that's what I'm saying, yeah so Gaudette: But we had more than 50% of owners who voted but yeah Taniguchi: I'm just trying to clarify your statement because it sounds like the majority of the owners but Gaudette: Oh no, no, no. Taniguchi: You just said Gaudette: And no, no, no, not not not true. No, only by because we only did the TownSq (Town Square) that Taniguchi: Yeah. Gaudette: That's the people who responded. Taniguchi: I don't like TownSq (Town Square), I don't like that either because my condo in Honolulu same way, I don't like the way Gaudette: Well I know, that's why many people just emailed and said, I'm opposed to it but I'm not voting on TownSq (Town Square). Taniguchi: But yeah, I just want to clarify. The other question I had was, as far as if he doesn't have music, would you be opposed to it? Gaudette: Again, I don't know, I can't say that for the whole association, I can just say that there was Zaldivar: And you as an owner. Gaudette: Me, is it me personally? Zaldivar: You have four units that you own, so for you, would you be opposed? Taniguchi: I was just wondering because the owners, you know that boom, boom, boom, I don't like that, that's very irritating, so I was just wondering. Gaudette: Right, well, I guess the answer to that is that early on when we were talking to Vinny, it was going to be like a coffee cafe. I think the Board was open at that point to discussion about renting some space in the common element in the lobby for extra tables because Da Coco Shack's so tiny. Taniguchi: Yeah, but just in his space now, if he didn't have music or anything loud? Gaudette: I don't know I can answer that for the whole Board. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 50 OF 77 Taniguchi: No, for yourself? Gaudette: But for me personally, it wouldn't bother me. Taniguchi: I was just curious, yeah. Gaudette: But you know as Al said, you know it's been the fact that Da Poke Shack sells alcohol hasn't created problems, there are some owners who do remember problems with alcohol, but I wasn't there at that time. Taniguchi: Thank you. Wilkinson: Can you, what was the question exactly? Because I'm curious, was it a blanket, do you approve of alcohol at all? Or is it based on the application? Gaudette: No, no, no, no, I do not know. Let me see how I have to go on TownSq (Town Square), it said, I think it just said something like Da Coco Shack has applied for a liquor license, are you in favor? And you just say "Yes", or "No", or "Opposed", I can't remember exactly how it said. But yeah, didn't have any of them do about Wilkinson: The hours or anything? Gaudette: Yeah, they didn't mention the hours, didn't no. Wilkinson: So that was stating the fact that the Gaudette: Can you see the Mantanez: Jeremy Mantanez, its statement says, Da Coco Shack's liquor license application will allow recorded or live entertainment and consumption of beer, wine, spirits, in the restaurant. Are you in favor of the liquor license for Da Coco Shack? A) Yes, I'm in favor of the liquor license for Da Coco Shack, or B) No, I am not in favor of a liquor license for Da Coco Shack. Wilkinson: Thank you. Taniguchi: Thank you. Ventura: I have a question, Al said earlier that 86% of the units were short-term rentals, is that correct? Gaudette: That's about right, yeah. And only about 35 owners that live on property or are long-term renters. Ventura: Okay, and what is the percentage of the makai building that is short-term rentals? MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 51 OF 77 Gaudette: I don't know for sure, but I would say it's a little bit higher in terms of the STVR (short-term vacation rental) percent on the makai side, probably more in the 90%. 1 mean I'm just thinking of people that I know who are living in those units, there's a total of 84 people on the makai street side of Ali`i Drive. There's, I'm just thinking of there's one, two, three, four, at least four, yeah. Ventura: Okay, so most of the owner -occupants and the long-term rental folks, they're on the mauka side? Gaudette: Most, yeah although again, it's approximately the same mix on both sides, but it's a little heavier on the STVR (short-term vacation rental) side on the makai side. Ventura: Alright, thanks. Gaudette: Which of course, you know when you look at all the letters of protest, there are eight letters that are in favor of the liquor license, two of those are makai units, two are on the mauka side, and six of the eight are from the makai side. Okay, of those six, one is Unit 230 which Vinny owns, 102, the owner that they rent for Da Coco Shack, Al at Da Poke Shack, that's three of those. Of the six, and there's a brand new owner, Unit 216, who sent a letter in support, she's a new owner, been there two weeks, just closed two weeks ago, and Unit 308, Cody Ducette who's a surfer, and he's been here for many years. I mean, there's only two people out of that whole makai side of the street who are in favor, who are key stakeholders for a liquor license, and that's why you're hearing this resistance from all of the owners on the makai side of Ali`i Drive. Okabe: Any other questions? Wilkinson: I have one more question. If you're an owner or a guest who's staying there, are you allowed to have alcohol in the common areas? Gaudette: Oh sure. Wilkinson: Okay. So, you can bring it down yourself. Gaudette: Absolutely, oh yeah, you can buy your bottle of wine and go down and sit around the pool, sure, on the beach. Mantanez: Not around the pool, Mike, sorry no glass. Gaudette: Oh I'm sorry, I shouldn't say, I should know no glass. Wilkinson: No glass, but can you take a can? Mantanez: Yes. Gaudette: But yeah, people go all along the beach and in the grassy area, yeah. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 52 OF 77 Wilkinson: Okay. Okabe: So, in this common area, you cannot have any glass but you can have alcohol by the pool, right? Gaudette: Yeah. Okabe: But, what about music, no music in the pool area or outside? Gaudette: No. Okabe: No music? Gaudette: No. Okabe: It's silent? Mantazez: No, there's lobby music. Gaudette: We have lobby music, but you, yeah it's quiet you know like Hawaiian music in the lobby, but you can't go and have a boom box out at the pool, yeah. Okabe: So, the lobby music is controlled by the building? Gaudette: Yes, but it's very quiet, in fact when I'm there I can't hear. Okabe: Okay, any other questions, Commissioners? There was no further discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Okay, thank you. Commissioners, I'd like to entertain a motion to close public hearing? Taniguchi: I think nobody else to testify? Greenwell: This is Greenwell, I'll make the motion to close the public hearing. Okabe: No, is there any other discussion on the public hearing first before we close it? There was no further discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, can I have a motion to close the public hearing? Greenwell: This is Greenwell, I'll make the motion to close the public hearing. Taniguchi: Second. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 53 OF 77 Commissioner Greenwell moved to close the public hearing; Seconded by Commissioner Taniguchi. Okabe: Moved and seconded, any discussion to the motion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Gonzales: Okay, I'm going to interject. If you close the public hearing, if you have anymore questions that need clarification or discussion on whether to grant the license, mean that discussion you can have on the motion to approve but you cannot take additional evidence, you cannot ask them any questions to clarify. Takase: You cannot ask them after. Gonzalez: You see what I'm saying procedurally. Wilkinson: Can you ask the applicant? Gonzalez: You cannot take anymore evidence if you close the public hearing, that's the bottom line, so just keep that in mind. Wong: I'm sorry, may I interject, this is Deputy Corporation Counsel Keyra Wong, would suggest that Commissioner Greenwell withdraw your motion to close the public hearing at this time. Okabe: If you want to hear some more, or the Commissioners could vote it down, right? The Commissioners could vote down the motion to still have public hearing. You understand what I mean, Commissioners? You can do two ways, Commissioner Greenwell can withdraw his motion, okay, or you vote down this motion and it will still be open for discussion, so whatever you want to do, Mr. Greenwell? Greenwell: I will withdraw the motion if there is some more dialogue. Gonzalez: I think the applicant wanted to say something. Okabe: Okay, any objections to what Mr. Greenwell is saying? There were no objections by Commissioners. Okabe: Okay, none. His motion has been withdrawn. The motion to close the public hearing was withdrawn by Commissioner Greenwell Okabe: Okay, Mr. Coco? MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 54 OF 77 Greenwell: We still in community discussion? Okabe: Yes. Zaldivar: I was just wondering before you close the community discussion as an owner, should I talk among the owner perception? Okabe: Yes. Takase: Well as an applicant, you can speak. Zaldivar: Okay, well I mean thank you everybody, yay and nay for coming and being a part of this, this is going to be historical. From the beginning, I never ever intended on making any noise, I don't know where this idea came from, I'm not doing a night club, it's not my intention. It's the most quiet thing to do to pour rum into a coconut, and if ever have music, which I've already agreed to abide by all the rules and work with the community association completely, it will be ukulele, it'll be myself playing ukulele on the weekends, maybe for my daughter Coco, maybe for some of the people who are eating some malasadas or sandwiches. It's my intention to create a beautiful space for family, friends, community, and vacationers to be a part of something that's not available within six miles to the right or to the left, and that's been my intention the entire time. I've built businesses and they've created lots of jobs and I paid lots of taxes in my life, this is bigger, this is about community planting coconut trees and being a part of something special. My mission is a million coconut trees in the ground within the next ten years between my farms in Puerto Rico and partner, and my own farms in Hawaii. This is not about liquor, this is not about disturbing the peace, this is about that mission and I'm committed to it, and with your help making it that safe space for people to sit and enjoy and learn about the coconut. I have lots of pictures of kids coming from all over the world and learning about the coconut, the culture, where it comes from, how? Wow, I've invented tools and devices for coconuts, this is what it's about, Da Coco Shack is about the coconut culture and the Polynesian culture of Hawaii, and to be a part of something bigger and to bring it back. Because everyone wants to whitewash and put rules around everything and we're losing our coconut culture, and we're losing the most important part about this whole project is that. And when you put rum in the coconut, and tequila in a coconut and make it fun and make it special, it will work, we will get those million trees in the ground. And so, that's all that I'm here to do, this is not my sole purpose to capitalize off of anyone or disturb the peace on anyone, when we do what we're gonna do here, the room rates will go up. The people will come and support it and they will donate to our non-profit to do more of that, and it's gonna create something that is not ever gonna to be downtown, it's not ever gonna be anywhere else but right here. And, I think that's why I have so many real people show up today to support me, and I feel that my entire brand Coco Love is what we're gonna bring to this community is love and this world needs more love. And that's what I bring today and MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 55 OF 77 offer, and if I have to keep it quiet and not ever play the ukulele and no music in my place, okay fine, I will agree to that. But, other than that, if they are afraid of people urinating somewhere else or anything, or not parking, we have solutions for all of that. So, I appreciate everyone here, thank you, I yield. Mantanez: If this is till open? Okabe: Yes. Mantanez: Hi, Jeremy Mantanez, I'm the Site Manager at Kona Bali Kai Condominiums and Resorts, just wanted to take a second, Vinny, this is not personal. As we stated at the last meeting, this is a community and as such the community expects a certain type of behavior if you will. We have bylaws and house rules that have been a part of Kona Bali Kai since well before my tenor there, well before Mike Gaudette was there. These rules are what make this community function as a community, not one person is above these rules and these bylaws. These rules are here to serve a purpose, one of the reasons why there is so much hesitation is lack of trust and communication. We have begged for two years for a written proposal, not a few text messages, not a couple of phone calls, because the Board is made up of a group of people. Once again as mentioned before, such as these people sitting right in front of us, this community deserves the right to know exactly what you're doing and we understand that things change, but you have not been honest with this community since you've stepped foot in it, that is where the hesitation comes from. Secondly Wong: Sir, if you can direct your comments to the Commission Mantanez: Sure, thank you. Secondly, the HOA (Homeowners Association) Board allowed a cold opening, they allowed live music in our community, that was the biggest debacle, the music was loud, it was not what we were promised and we had to stop the function. That is what they're afraid of, you say one thing and you do another, that is what we don't want. Thank you. Okabe: Any other discussion? Yes. Wilkinson: So, in reading all of the complaints and listening to folks, I hear bathroom is an issue. Quite honestly you don't need a bathroom, you could say "No public restroom." Parking is an issue everywhere in this town, it's not going to be any different there, you have more parking spaces I think than a lot of other people do even in their own homes. I live in Kilohana, sounds like it's going to be a fun place. Noise also an issue, but the pool is open until quiet hour at 9:00 p.m. And then some of the other issues that were brought up sound like they will be more of a problem in the dark. No public urination doesn't usually happen in the middle of the day, those are things that might become a problem later on. So, I'm wondering for you, have you contemplated MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 56 OF 77 shortening your hours, maybe a trial run say till 10:00 p.m. only? I hear that's still not exactly what some folks want, but I'm wondering what have you done to try and Zaldivar: Oh I think the last hearing, that was already decided if we have to just mirror the exact hours. Gonzalez: If I may Commissioner, that was a good question and at the last hearing, so this is actually a change to the report. Yes, the applicant did amend their report, at first they were requesting to stay open till 2:00 a.m., but they amended it at the last hearing to go till 10:00 P.M. Wilkinson: Okay, so is that the only change to the report that we don't have? Gonzalez: No, so there were other changes to the report that are in the minutes but just to tidy it up, they have not been open for business currently because they were improving the space, like you saw the floor and stuff this morning. So, they have not been operating as it's stated in the report, and then there was the correction for the square footage for the unit, I think the report said 700+, and it's closer to about a little over 600ish. And then the Zaldivar: We have been open though, I sold 200 coconuts last week. Gonzalez: Okay, so our Department has been checking if you have been operating in the store, and when I visited you, you told a person that tried to walk in that you were not open and you don't have hours of business open, so we don't observe you operating out of the store like a convenience store, that's our point. Zaldivar: I got you, but the hours haven't been exact but I've been open, I've been selling. Gonzalez: No, that's cool, and then the final thing was Mr. Zaldivar is a Partner with Ashley Younger, so that might be change to the report because the report says A to Z Owners LLC (Limited Liability Company) is member -managed and the sole member is Ashley Younger, but that's just a paperwork thing. Zaldivar: Yes, I was added I think maybe after the application or something, I don't know. Okabe: Commissioner Greenwell. Greenwell: Brandon, on the hours on our report I don't know if it was misrepresented but on the second line of the last page, when you change the hours it said the following day. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 57 OF 77 Gonzalez: Right, so the liquor license by default, the hours of service go until 2:00 a.m. the next day, and then for a restaurant, they can operate from 8:00 a.m., right? And there's certain liquor license classes can operate from 6:00 a.m. So, what the applicant changed at the last meeting is, it's going to be 10:00 p.m, same day, right? They wanted to open at 7:00 a.m. to be able to offer donuts and pastries in the morning, and then they close by 10:00 p.m. to abide by the quiet hour rules of Kona Bali Kai. That's what I remember as being a change from the application. Zaldivar: Correct. Greenwell: That's correct, I'm just questioning what was printed and sent to us. Gonzalez: So, you got to remember this report was prepared in 2024, December, and are you referring to the minutes or the application report? Greenwell: No, the application report. Gonzalez: Yeah that's why, the application report, we don't update it once it's printed, we just verbally update it and then the minutes record it. Thank you. Okabe: Okay, any other questions? Mr. Taniguchi. Taniguchi: Brandon, I guess an item that was brought up was you keep your windows open, aren't you air conditioned? Zaldivar: Air conditioned, I never keep them open. Taniguchi: So, you're not going to open the back windows? Zaldivar: I never keep them open. Taniguchi: Or the jealousies or whatever they are. What are they, regular windows? Zaldivar: They're just regular windows that lock, go up and down. Okabe: Come forward, it's open for discussion. Vasconcelles: I just wanted to touch on something, not so much like this but I've been through so much with the Board, okay. Jeremy Mantanez, he's the new Site Manager, he's been there couple years, whatever, I've been there 16 years, ten, we went through ten different site managers. They changed the rules for me like I said three times specifically for me, not Da Poke Shack, for me, Albert Vasconcelles. The other thing wanted to say is, when all this started happening, Mike who's the Board President texts me and I have the text, "Do you have a liquor license?" I'm like, yes. Oh, is it carry out or drink in? I'm like Mike, you're the Board President, how do you not know this? MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 58 OF 77 You're the President, you're representing Bali Kai, 153, correct me, 154 units. How do you not know that I have a liquor license for 15 years? Oh, I don't consume, all on text, don't consume alcohol so it doesn't concern me. I'm like you're the Board President, that just gives you guys an idea of the Board we're dealing with, that I'm dealing with, that he's dealing with now that I warned him about, you know. So, you know sitting down and listening I'm just like wow, this is crazy, I went through all of this, Like I said, have no stake in this game, we're not partners, he never promised me nothing, this is just me listening and what I go through with these guys, with the Board of Bali Kai, and it's ridiculous. Long story short, like I just couldn't sit there and not say something again, I mean just you know, from the parking, they did the same thing to me. Oh, your employees cannot park here, park under there. Oh, you guys cannot park under there, park over here. You know, the bathroom issue, I mean it's just always something, if it's not the parking, it's the bathroom, if it's not the bathroom, it's the barbecue areas. So, just wanted to be transparent and actually you guys see this whole thing, because he's a good friend and he shows me what he's going through, texts. I tried to contact Mike many of times, me and that guy Jeremy Mantanez had a run in, right? Trying to contact this guy, he never returns my calls, he never returns texts. A month later he returns my texts, tells me he was in Australia or he's in Cancun, he can't be reached, but you're the Board President. And that's not just the President, that's all of them, none of them not one of them, and you can ask him, not one of them on the Board resides here full-time, they're all in the mainland. And Vince hasn't said anything and he should bring it up, the whole reason that one of the Board Members, and I seen it he shares with me, started an email that went out to every homeowner, the one that one of your gentlemen brought it up, and it was a smear campaign. Like totally didn't talk about music, just talked about alcohol and said here, sign this and send it back to us or something like that. He can tell you more about it but I just can't keep quiet listening to this Board, just like man it's crazy, it's crazy. I've been here 16 years, I raised my daughter, she's 17-years-old, she learned how to swim in the pool, I taught her how to catch aholehole, throw net outside over there. And it's just like I said I have no skin in this game, I'm not making one cent out of this but the Board needs to be more transparent with you guys, that's all I wanted to say this time around, because they're not right now. You know unfortunately they're trying to smear this guy, they're just trying to run him out of town and like it's irritating. Born and raised in Hawaii, 50-years-old, and this the kind of stuff that we gotta go through all the time. So, that's all I wanted for say if you guys get any questions, sorry for take up you guys time, I know everybody like go eat, so. Okabe: Any other questions for Mr. Vasconcelles? There were no further discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Thank you. You want to come up? Mantanez: I'd like to respond to a couple of things, first of all, the Board has a judiciary duty to Okabe: Okay, can you take a seat over there, you're addressing the Commission. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 59 OF 77 Mantanez: Jeremy Mantanez again, the Boards duty is to represent and to listen to the owners, that is their duty. Okay, first of all, secondly, okay, I'd like to say something about the bathroom since this keeps coming up. Each owner, each resident, each unit pays dues. Those dues keep the water on, keep the toilets flushing, keep the paper in the paper towel, keep the toilet paper in the paper dispenser. When one unit starts to use more, that offsets the balance and all of the other units have to pay the difference, does that make sense? So, we have to draw the line somewhere, and that line is inviting every person off the streets to use our bathroom, that is the reason why, not because we're trying to be mean or ugly. We have rules for a reason, and rules sometimes have to be changed. Thank you. Okabe: Any other questions or testimony? There were no further discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Okay, hearing none. Takase: So, Vi n ny, we've gone through all of this hearing, you know. As a Department, we see several things, so let me ask you just to clarify it for everybody here. The bathroom situation, we've seen it but I think the proposal now is you're not going to use the common area bathrooms, but you will allow them to use either Al's or your bathrooms, is that correct? Zaldivar: That's correct. Takase: In terms of noise and music, are you limiting your entertainment to inside your premises and you will keep the doors closed. Zaldivar: Yes. No loud music at all, ever. Takase: Yeah, so no amplification. Zaldivar: No, I'm going to be playing surf videos, you know Banyans is like a surf spot, right? So, I was going to play surfing videos which are quiet, there's no music on them, and if there's a UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fight or game or something we want to put on, you know I was gonna put a couple TVs (televisions), and people can eat a sandwich and watch the game. And that's all the noise that's could ever come out of there. I mean if we get a tough coconut, sometimes bang bang, I'm gonna be opening coconuts here and there, but there's nothing that's gonna disturb the peace beyond the road, with scooters and everything else going on down there, I don't see us being louder than anything out there. Takase: Okay, so your entertainment would be confined to your premises? Zaldivar: Yes. Takase: Okay. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 60 OF 77 Gonzalez: The patrons, they have a responsibility as well to monitor and control the noise of your customers. Zaldivar: Yeah, so if we need to hire somebody to make sure everybody is quiet, don't know. Takase: It's such a small place, I'll kind of leave that to you to figure out, but yeah one of the conditions of any licensee is that they need to control their patrons coming and going inside obviously, but I guess we would like to work with your Board. I know you guys maybe at odds right now but if the patrons do start to congregate in that lobby area, your kind of under an obligation if they're your customers too. Scoot them back inside. Zaldivar: For sure. Before I applied for the license, I was just gonna do sandwiches and everything else. If I would have been allowed to do the table out front common area kind of like what Al has already, I don't even know if I would have applied for the liquor license, but so many people buying coconuts from me asking me for rum and asking me for stuff, and everybody thought it was a good idea, so you know, the majority of everyone I've spoken to is all for it. And it seems like a small minority crew that wants it to be a tomb as he described, but I don't do business in a tomb, we have to brings some energy and some Coco Love to the game and aloha, and I'm never gonna shut that off. And no matter what the rules are, I will abide by them, its just we have to be able to operate a profitable business, that's why I applied for this license, I think it will help us survive and create more jobs. Takase: Yeah, and I would say to the Board, if we deny him the liquor license, that doesn't stop him from operating his business, so I think you folks need to work with him as well. He pays CAM (common area and maintenance) I'm assuming, I don't know if he pays the same amount or more, it's just based on square footage so he does have some rights in there. Zaldivar: I also have a residential so I pay double. Takase: But you know I think as a Commission, we're trying to find the best solution for everybody, and you know if we have to make some conditions on it, we can do that but think we want to give you the chance to operate, but recognizing the other tenants and trying to reach kind of a happy medium for all of you. Okabe: Anymore questions before we close the public hearing? There was no further discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Okay, hearing none, I'd like to entertain a motion to close the public hearing? Wilkinson: Wilkinson, so moved. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 61 OF 77 Okabe: Okay, is there a second? Nishimoto: Nishimoto, second. Commissioner Wilkinson moved to close the public hearing; Seconded by Commissioner Nishimoto. Okabe: Moved and seconded, any discussion to the motion to close public hearing? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried to close public hearing. The motion was carried unanimously. Okabe: I'd like to entertain a motion to approve or deny Application No. 24-13, pending final inspection? Taniguchi: I have a question, so if you want to put conditions, do we have to make the motion first? Okabe: Yes, and in fact, in order to have any discussion at this point, you would have to have a motion. Taniguchi: I move to approve Application No. 24-13, pending final inspection. Okabe: Can I have a second? Nishimoto: Nishimoto, second. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 62 OF 77 Commissioner Taniguchi moved to approve Application No. 24-13, A to Z Owners LLC, dba Da Coco Shack, for an Original Restaurant General liquor license, Category 131, located at 76-6246 Ali`i Drive, #102, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-6-015-023-0001, pending final inspection; Seconded by Commissioner Nishimoto. Takase: Without the conditions? Taniguchi: Now we gonna discuss about the conditions? Takase: Okay. Okabe: Any discussion to this motion? Okay, here we go. Taniguchi: First of all, I think the music thing is the big issue, loud music and I agree, I mean it could be very irritating, so we should have that kind of condition there, I'm sure you're okay with that. Zaldivar: I agree, I own the one upstairs so I don't want it too noisy. Taniguchi: Yeah, so I think that one is a big one. Zaldivar: Agreed. Taniguchi: And, no boom box type music, right? That's one of them, but I'm sure other Commissioners might have some other thoughts too. Okabe: Mr. Greenwell? Greenwell: Going back to the bathroom situation, looking at it this morning, it appears that it's not only the bathrooms that your customers need to use but it's kind of some space, and I think that lawn in the front is really a non -starter, I don't think that lawn is big enough or clear enough to utilize as an area that was mentioned, the lawn out alongside. Zaldivar: I'm confused. Okabe: That's not part of the license but he just opening up for discussion I think that's what he said. Greenwell: Yeah. Zaldivar: I'm confused, though, I don't understand. Takase: It was brought up that you had wanted to use that front area. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 63 OF 77 Zaldivar: For tables, not for restrooms. You said restrooms. Greenwell: No, I'm talking about the common areas, those areas like that lawn is a small area, a very small area you know, you couldn't hardly put a table in there from what I see, its got planting and its got sign posts, its got this and that. Zaldivar: Oh no so, we were talking to them about removing the hibiscus, when we remove the hibiscus and put a fence, there would be room once we developed it but it's not ready yet as is. But I talked to Mike about developing that for tables and it's not done yet. Takase: Okay. Zaldivar: That's not even in the application, it's not in the application, that's future. Greenwell: But these items of using the common area, like walking to a bathroom or walking through the pool to get to the parking lot and so on and so forth, all those uses of the common area, I would think you would have to sit down with the Board AOAO (Association of Apartment Owners) and figure out just exactly how much of the common area you can use. Zaldivar: We don't need to use anything, I mean everything is going to be in the shop, and if restrooms is an issue, I will post a sign, "No public restroom" as well. I don't need a restroom, and I've been operating the place, I never had a restroom issue, it's like 1 out of 17000, 2,000 people, they needed to make shi shi but that's it, there's no issue for the restroom. Gonzalez: I just want to make it clear, restrooms are required according to our liquor rules if you have a liquor license. Rule 5-8(C) requires a licensee with on -premises consumption to have a restroom available, and then the building code requires businesses open to the public to have restroom facilities not only for your workers but for the public. So, I just want to clear up that confusion. Zaldivar: Okay, I got it. Well, I didn't know it was a requirement, but I have restroom upstairs and all my employees are allowed to use the common area restrooms, so we have the fob for that. Gonzalez: Yeah, so not like open to the general public but it's usually customers and workers. Okabe: So, I just basically need clarification, you know in this particular discussion, already Commissioner Taniguchi had mentioned earlier, I wanted to know how we're going to put into language for basically clarification or things that shouldn't pass of what the consent is to do, what's the conditions? Is there going to be a motion, or are you just gonna add it in now, what is the legal way, how are you going to do it? MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 64 OF 77 Wong: Deputy Corporation Counsel, Keyra Wong. So, actually this is how we normally do it at other commission meetings, we take up the condition one by one with a motion to amend the approval of the application by, and then you state what the condition is. There needs to be a second, and then discussion on the amendment, so the discussion is limited to the proposed condition. Take a vote, yes or no, back to the main motion to approve the application as amended. Right now, I think Commissioner Taniguchi proposed, for example, the condition regarding the music, so if we're going to make that a condition, that's a Commission decision, then motion to amend the main motion, and then you would state what the condition is, second, discussion. Okabe: Okay, so Commissioner Taniguchi, we have to make a formal motion to amend to say specifically how you want to clarify this music with the door closed or things like that, more specific, and then we would have to have a second, according to what your amendment is to the motion, and then we'll vote on that to add it in before we do the main motion. So, do you have a motion? Taniguchi: I got to think about the wording now. Takase: Let me propose something for you folks, you know you can approve the license but under these conditions: One, in terms of operating noise, I think that's agreed to already, he's going to close by 10:00 p.m. On the front-end, I don't know, you said you wanted 7:00 a.m. I don't think the front-end is really a problem to the Board, so why don't we say we won't set an opening, but you will close by 10:00 p.m. Okay, that's condition no. 1. Two, that there be no entertainment outside of the premises, and even within the premises, it'll be only non -amplified entertainment. Three, I don't really want to put anything about the bathroom because I think if you provide the bathroom, so maybe we'll just say that you will not be allowed to use the common area bathroom for your customers. So, you'll provide either working through Da Poke Shack, or your unit to provide the bathroom. And maybe they're right, nobody is going to use the bathroom in such a short time, but if they do want to use it, you'll provide that for them, and that is a requirement of the license. Michaelsen: Unless the Board approves a future thing. Takase: Yeah, if you can work with the Board, and you guys decide it's not so bad, you know you can always work with them on that. I think you want to work with the Board because if you want to open up that front area, which everybody seems to only eat outside by the road, I'm sure they'll make you fix it up and you might be able to use it. Zaldivar: And if it's toilet paper that is an issue or paper towels, I'll put a whole budget in there for that, we don't have to pay for them again, I'll work with them, I'm here. Takase: You guys need to build up some trust between each other. Zaldivar: I'm here, I trust them. Takase: So, I would say with those three conditions. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 65 OF 77 Taniguchi: So, now we gotta make the motion? Motion to amend my motion? Takase: No, just withdraw and do new motion. Taniguchi: I withdraw my motion. The motion to approve Application No. 24-13, pending final inspection was withdrawn by Commissioner Taniguchi Taniguchi: Okay, new motion with the condition of 1) Closing by 10:00 p.m., and 2) Limiting entertainment to inside the premises with no amplified music, and obviously keeping all the windows closed, right? Okabe: And no use of the common area bathroom allowed for customers. Taniguchi: 3) Will not use the common area bathroom for customers. Okabe: Okay, so that's it? Any second? Wilkinson: Wilkinson, second. Commissioner Taniguchi moved to approve Application No. 24-13, A to Z Owners LLC, dba Da Coco Shack, for an Original Restaurant General liquor license, Category B1, located at 76-6246 Ali`i Drive, #102, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-6-015-023-0001, pending final inspection; with the following conditions: 1) Close by 10:00 p.m., 2) Limiting entertainment to inside the premises with no amplified music, and 3) Will not use common area bathroom for customers; Seconded by Commissioner Wilkinson. Okabe: Is there any discussion to the motion? Yes, you have a question? Wilkinson: Yes, I have a question. If the Board were to revise the rules and our rules are more stringent, can he follow the Board rules or does he have to come back and change it? Takase: He probably have to come back to amend the conditions of the license, but should not be a big problem because he can just say him and the Board are coco loving each other. To amend our conditions, he would have to come back. Okabe: Okay, any other discussion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all in favor please say "Aye." MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 66 OF 77 The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed? There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. VIII. New Business (12:42 PM) 1. Marzo's Country Sports Bar & Grill LLC, dba Marzo's Country Sports Bar & Grill, approval of request to extend the time issuance of the liquor license (12:42 PM) for good cause shown for an additional six months, from April 4, 2025, to and including October 4, 2025, by letter received March 14, 2025, of its Restaurant General liquor license, Category B2, located at the Puna Kai Shopping Center, 15-2714 Pahoa Village Road, Suite D1 and D2, Pahoa, Hawaii. Passage requires finding of good cause pursuant to Rule 4-2(M) of the Rules and Regulations of the Liquor Commission of the County of Hawaii. If the Commission finds good cause, state what that good cause is when making the motion. Okabe: Can I entertain a motion to approve with good cause? Mr. Greenwell. Greenwell: Mr. Takase, should we be giving him six months, or should we be giving him a year, seeing he's having problems with the County EPIC (Electronic Processing and Information Center)? Nishimoto: I think it says that he received the permit, so maybe six month would be sufficient. Takase: It's up to you folks, if you give them six months, they might be back in another six months, if you give them a year and gets it in before then, no problem. Okabe: Okay, do we have a motion for good cause? Greenwell: Okay, this is Greenwell, I'll make the motion to allow him the six months extension, being as he very recently got his permit completed and needs extra time. Nishimoto: Nishimoto, second. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 67 OF 77 Commissioner Greenwell moved to approve the request to extend the time issuance of the liquor license for good cause shown for an additional six months, from April 4, 2025, to and including October 4, 20259 by letter received March 14, 2025, of its Restaurant General liquor license, Category 132, located at the Puna Kai Shopping Center, 15-2714 Pahoa Village Road, Suite D1 and D2, Pahoa, Hawaii; Seconded by Commissioner Nishimoto. Okabe: Is there any discussion to the motion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all in favor say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: There's none, motion carried. The motion was carried unanimously. 2. Hawaii Nautical Inc., dba Spirit of Aloha, dba Spirit of Aloha catamaran 1334888) 100% Stock Transfer from Douglas Ewalt and Regina Mangieri, to (12:43 PM) Kona Lani Ocean Inc., effective March 19, 2025; of its Tour or Cruise Vessel liquor licenses, Category A, moored at the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, Slip #39, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; and at `Anaeho`omalu Bay, Waikoloa, Hawaii. Okabe: Can I have a motion to approve? Taniguchi: Move to approve. Okabe: Is there a second? Nishimoto: Nishimoto, second. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 68 OF 77 Commissioner Taniguchi moved to approve the 100% Stock Transfer from Doug Ewalt and Regina Mangieri, to Kona Lani Ocean Inc., effective March 19, 2025; of its Tour or Cruise Vessel liquor licenses, Category A, moored at the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, Slip #39, Kailua-Kona, Hawai`; and at the `Anaeho`omalu Bay, Waikoloa, Hawaii; Seconded by Commissioner Nishimoto. Okabe: Any discussion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. 3. Permits Issued for Ratification (12:44 PM) a. Volume Services, Inc., dba Centerplate, dba Centerplate - Aloha, ratification of request to transfer liquor inventory to Umekes Airport LLC, dba Umekes KOA, approved by Director Gerald Takase on March 21, 2025, of its Dispenser General liquor license, Category A, located at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, 73-400 Kupipi Street, Aloha Location, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. b. Hilo Lodge, No. 759, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America, dba B.P.O. Elks No. 759, ratification of Application for Game Permit, for an event on March 23, 2025, approved by Director Gerald Takase on March 21, 2025; of its Club liquor license, located at 150 Kino`ole Street, Hilo, Hawaii. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 69 OF 77 C. Tracie Matsumoto Brower, Research Leader, USDA ARS DKI PBARC, ratification of Application for Alcohol Purchase Permit, for 100 gallons of 190 and 200 proof ethanol, used for research and disinfecting tools, from Greenfield in Palo Alto, CA, approved by Director Gerald Takase on March 24, 2025, located at 64 Nowelo Street, Hilo, Hawaii. d. Little Big Tots Foundation, dba Little Big Tots Foundation, ratificaton of Application for Game Permit, for an event on April 5, 2025, approved by Director Gerald Takase on March 24, 2025, of its Special General liquor license, located at the Hilo Women's Club, 7 Lele Street, Hilo, Hawaii. e. Christopher Camero Memorial VFW Post 12122, dba VFW Post 12122, ratification of Application for Game Permits, for an event on April 10, 2025; and events from April 1-30, 2025; approved by Director Gerald Takase on March 24, 2025, of its Special General liquor license, located at 74-5543 Kaiwi Street, Suite 3-A185a and 3-A185b, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Okabe: Do I have a motion to ratify? Taniguchi: Move to ratify. Okabe: Is there a second? Nishimoto: Nishimoto, second. Commissioner Taniguchi moved to ratify Permits Issued for Ratification, Item Nos. 3(a) through 3(e), as stated in the agenda; Seconded by Commissioner Nishimoto. Okabe: Any discussion to the motion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 70 OF 77 Okabe: Motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. 4. Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises Issued for Ratification (12:45 PM) a. Kuleana Spirits, Inc., dba Kuleana Rum Shack, ratification of Application for Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises, for an event on March 4, 2025, approved by Director Gerald Takase on February 27, 2025, of its Small Craft Producer Pub liquor license, Category B1, located at the Queens' MarketPlace, 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Spaces H5, H6 and H7, Waikoloa, Hawaii. b. JTJ Enterprises, Inc., dba Quinn's, ratification of Application for Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises, for an event on March 16-17, 2025, approved by Administrative Officer Brandon Gonzalez on March 10, 2025, of its Restaurant General liquor license, Category B2, located at 75-5655 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. C. KBXtreme, LLC, dba KBXtreme, ratification of Application for Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises, for an event on June 1 & 21, 2025) approved by Director Gerald Takase on March 13, 2025, of its Restaurant General liquor license, Category B2, located at 75-5591 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. d. Smash Daddy's LLC, dba Smash Daddy's, ratification of Application for Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises, for an event on March 17, 2025, approved by Director Gerald Takase on March 13, 2025, of its Restaurant General liquor license, Category B1, located at the Waikoloa Plaza, 68-1820 Waikoloa Road, #E105, Waikoloa, Hawaii. e. Puna Chocolate Company, dba Hale Cocoa, ratification of Application for Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises, for an event on March 19, 2025, approved by Director Gerald Takase on March 14, 2025, of its Restaurant General liquor license, Category B1, located at 79-7378 Hawaii Belt Road, Kealakekua, Hawaii. f. Hatch Enterprises Incorporated, dba The Temple, ratification of Application for Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises, for an event on April 5, 2025, approved by Director Gerald Takase on March 21, 2025, of its Restaurant General liquor license, Category B1, located at 64 Keawe Street, Space 102, Hilo, Hawaii. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 71 OF 77 g. Napua Hilo LLC, dba Lehua Restaurant at Imiloa, ratification of Application for Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises, for an event on March 27, 2025, approved by Directo Gerald Takase on March 27, 2025; of its Restaurant General liquor license, Category B2, located at 600 Imiloa Place, Hilo, Hawaii. Okabe: Can I have a motion to ratify? Greenwell: This is Greenwell, I'll make the motion to ratify. Taniguchi: Second. Commissioner Greenwell moved to ratify Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises Issued for Ratification, Item Nos. 4(a) and 4(g), as stated in the agenda; Seconded by Commissioner Taniguchi. Okabe: Move and seconded, any discussion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 72 OF 77 5. Special Licenses Issued for Ratification (12:46 PM) a. License No. SP-24-132, The Friends of the Palace Theater, dba The Friends of the Palace Theater, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license, for an event on February 28, 2025, held at 38 Haili Street, Hilo, Hawaii. b. License No. SP-24-133, The Friends of the Palace Theater, dba The Friends of the Palace Theater, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license, for an event on March 1, 2025, held at 38 Haili Street, Hilo, Hawaii. C. License No. SP-24-134, Volcano Art Center, dba Volcano Art Center, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license, for an event on March 8, 2025, held at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road, Volcano, Hawaii. d. License No. SP-24-135, Donkey Mill Art Center, dba Donkey Mill Art Center, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license, for an event on March 22, 2025, held at 78-6670 Mamalahoa Highway, Holualoa, Hawaii. e. License No. SP-24-136, Hawaii Rangeland Stewardship Foundation, dba Hawaii Rangeland Stewardship Foundation, for a Special General liquor license, for an event on May 5, 2025, held at The Club at Hokuli'a, 81-6636 Pu'u Oahu Place, Kealakekua, Hawaii. f. License No. SP-24-137, Fraternal Order of Eagles, dba Fraternal Order of Eagles, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license, for events on March 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28 & 29, 2025, held at 16-111 `Opukaha`ia Street, Kea`au, Hawaii. g. License No. SP-24-138, Little Big Tots Foundation, dba Little Big Tots Foundation, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license, for an event on April 5, 2025, held at Hilo Women's Club, 7 Lele Street, Hilo, Hawaii. h. License No. SP-24-139, Hilo Community Players, dba Hilo Community Players, for a Special General liquor license, for events on March 14, 15, 21 & 28, 2025, held at 280 Keawe Street, Hilo, Hawaii. i. License No. SP-24-140, The Friends of the Palace Theater, dba The Friends of the Palace Theater, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license, for an event on March 21-23, 28-30; April 4-6, 2025; held at 38 Haili Street, Hilo, Hawaii. Okabe: May I have a motion to ratify? Nishimoto: Nishimoto, motion to ratify. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 73 OF 77 Okabe: Is there a second? Greenwell: Greenwell, second. Commissioner Nishimoto moved to ratify Special Licenses Issued for Ratification, Item Nos. 5(a) through 5(i), License Nos. SP-24-132 through SP-24-140, as stated in the agenda; Seconded by Commissioner Greenwell. Okabe: Any discussion to the motion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, all in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: Opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. 6. Transient Vessel License Issued for Ratification (12:46 PM) a. License No. TV-24-036, TUI Cruises GmBH, dba Europa 2, for a Transient Vessel liquor license, in port at Hilo Harbor, Hilo, Hawaii on April 6-7, 2025. Okabe: Motion to ratify? Nishimoto: Nishimoto, motion to ratify. Taniguchi: Second. Commissioner Nishimoto moved to ratify Transient Vessel Licenses Issued for Ratification, Item No. 6(a), License Nos. TV-24-036, as stated in the agenda; Seconded by Commissioner Taniguchi. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 74 OF 77 Okabe: Moved and seconded, any discussion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. Okabe: All those in favor please say "Aye." The Commissioners voted "Aye." Okabe: All opposed "Nay." There was no opposition by Commissioners. Okabe: Any abstentions? There were no abstentions by Commissioners. Okabe: Hearing none, motion is carried. The motion was carried unanimously. 7. Office of the County Auditor, Department of Liquor Control, (12:46PM) Liquor Commission, and Liquor Control Adjudication Board, Travel Expenses Audit Report No. 2025-01, dated March 7, 2025. Takase: We sent a copy to all of you of the auditor's report, and you can read through it for yourselves. It came up before Council on Tuesday, I thank those of you that were able to attend and gave testimony to the Council. I think it was helpful for them to understand that there is purpose in what you folks are doing, and we tried to convey that to them. One of the big concerns they have is our travel policy, I guess we really had none, so I will work on that and prepare it to discuss at the next hearing. The Council wants a report on our travel policy by May 20t". I guess when I first responded to the auditor, they asked me what our travel policy was. I said, well we send everybody, but determine priority by who is Chairman, Vice Chairman, and just go by seniority after that. So, they had some concerns and I think there's still a perception that we're not doing it properly, but I said everybody gets to travel, so I don't know what the problem is. And think I was trying to express that to the members that were there, but I think they just want to see something, so we'll put something out there so you guys can vote on it at the next meeting. And hopefully that will kind of put an end to most of this, they're still scrutinizing our money, but we will go through that. The Commissioners that were there were trying to explain that costs have risen dramatically over the past five years so, even what we were spending they think that's too much, it's probably not enough. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 75 OF 77 One other thing that came out of all this is the Finance Department is looking at our expenditures for meals and things. Apparently, they feel we're being too extravagant, so they've limited us to $18.00 per meal, everything included. So, we're going to Royal Jade Garden today and we will try to abide by their concerns, but I have another visit with them after this because it's kind of been our policy that we try to visit our licensees since they are the ones paying for our meals in the end. Really, to find places that we can have a meal with tax and tip included for under $18.00 is almost impossible now. Even if we go into McDOnald's, everything included, you're kind of like right at that limit already. So, after the budget is finished, I'll revisit that with Finance, so expect an email from me with the proposed travel policy. You know if I can get feedback from you folks, I'll try to incorporate that. Greenwell: Gerald, you already sent one email with the travel policy. Takase: Yes. Greenwell: Is that going to change? Takase: That's just proposed, so you can comment. The auditor said he's going to give me some more feedback on it, so we'll see. Taniguchi: Yeah, but I think we should emphasize the fact, I think they misinterpreted that's why because the two or three council people I talked to afterwards didn't know, they thought that it's like favoritism, only the Chair and the Vice Chair get to go and that kind of stuff. But they didn't realize that everybody got to go. So, I was telling them, no its a lot of times it's because scheduling, you can choose what dates, you know you might be someplace else, you on vacation. But I mean Gerald could probably do something. Greenwell: Gerald, so on our travel to NCSLA (National Conference of State Liquor Administrator) or some of the other ones, are you gonna get limited so that you cannot travel to all the conferences that you have been traveling to? In other words, are you going to have to drop out of your membership? Takase: No. Well right now our current budget is $124,000, but we've been able to do what they need to do with that amount. It sounds like they want to cut us below that, although I just looked at what we're were doing, sending two Commissioners, one Board Member and staff to five conferences that we attended, and that already came up to $137,000.00. So, where they're asking us to cut back, we're actually going the other way. So, I think we're going to have some disagreements over what we do, you know in the end, the Council decides what our budget is. So, if we don't agree and they cut us back, then we'll have to make determinations, and I guess that's where our travel policy will come in as to who can travel. My intention is really to still have everybody go because I think there is value in having you all up to date on what's going on. We may have to look at between the Commission and Board, before the Board never traveled, but I felt that it was kind of unfair to them because they put in time as well. They actually bring dollars into the County with fines and fees, so we will work on that. It's MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISIT AND PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING - THURSDAY. APRIL 3, 2025 - KONA PAGE 76 OF 77 kind of a work in progress, by the end of May we'll try to work that out. I'll put it on for next month so we can have a better discussion about this. Greenwell: If you can get some of the Council Member's discretionary funds to helA,, you? I q� 1X. Announcements (12:56 PM) III !!Tel i-11• May 1, 2025, 10:00 A.M., Hilo Meeting Room, Department of Liquor rN Hilo Lagoon Centre, 101 Aupuni Street, Unit 230, Hilo Hawai'i. k....ontrol, 7 June 5, 2025, 10:00 A.M., Kona Meeting Room, Department of Liquor Control, Hanama Place, 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 107, Kailua- Kona, Hawai'i. Meeting adjourned at 12:56 P.M. G e ra I d T-ra.- kra3 e Director The April 3, 2025, site visit and public hearing / meeting minutes were approved as circulate via email on May 2. 2025, by the Liquor Commission of the County of Hawai'i on June 5, 202551 W I MINUTES — LIQUOR COMMISSION SITE VISITAND PUBLIC HEARINGIMEETING — THURSDAY, APRIL 3 2025 — KONA PAGE 77 OF 77