2025-09-04 Liquor Commission Minutes Hilo

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Okabe: Could you please describe your business. Banther: So, our business is going to be a small farm -to -flask craft distillery, really, really, small, basically a hobby operation, wholesale only on our farm orchard. So, we're really excited to try to create something very unique for our island that uses our organic produce to make very, very fine distilled products. Keith was an award -winning executive chef for many, many years, I'd like to use his refined palette to really create something delicious, and that's our goal. Currently, our building has been delivered, we have an engineered -stamped steel building, it's been delivered. All of our equipment is on site, we've been working since we saw you last with the electrical engineer, to get the drawings all done for our building, we're working with the electrician and plumber. Planning Department was completely fine with all of our progress, but Public Works said we are very, very unique, one -of -a -kind. I've always tried to be one -of -a -kind but you know, maybe being one -of -a -kind with Public Works isn't good. But, they said that they're not quite sure our ag (agricultural) permit is going to be enough because we have an ag (agricultural) permit for the building, and we were doing the electrical engineering and the plumbing permit separately, but they may want us to go to a full building permit. So, they're working on it because they said the code is a little ambiguous for our situation. So, we're waiting for their direction and that's what we will do, so that's why we're a little bit waiting right now. But we're ready to go as soon as they make a determination which permit will be the best for us. Greenwell: What size is your farm? Banther: Three acres. Greenwell: Three acres? Steele: We have ulu, I have sugarcane growing, and then additional pineapple growing. Banther: And banana. Steele: So, those are the products we'll be using for the distillery, distilled alcohol. Takase: Charmaine, I met with the Building Department about your project, and they were a little unclear as to whether it would be agricultural, it's really because the building doesn't have to go through a building process, but you know we explained to them what you were doing, that you're not really open to the public, so I think they are gonna come back favorable for you guys. Banther: Okay thank you, we were going to pop in on the way home from here and see if they've made a decision because their meetings are also on Thursday. Takase: Unfortunately, the guy is in Kona, that's where I met with him in Kona. Banther: Oh, thank you. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION MEETING - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 - HILO PAGE 4 OF 37