|
Another thing I saw just recently actually was, I was walking through the Prince Kuhio
<br />Plaza, you know how they have like the mall directory in the middle of the mall? You
<br />know, they have like these display boards that have like advertisements and some had
<br />some positive messages. So I thought you know, what a great thing that maybe we
<br />could figure out to have some you know, positive messages talking about underage
<br />drinking because you know, there's a lot of young kids and high schoolers that hang
<br />out in the mall, so you know maybe doing something like that might be good.
<br />Okabe: Can you give me an example of a specific occasion on which you conformed
<br />to a policy or a law which you did not agree?
<br />Waltjen: Yes, so you know this past September the Council passed a bill where it
<br />made it mandatory for on -premise liquor license establishments to carry two doses of
<br />naloxone nasal spray, and it has to be visible in a place where you can see it, and it's
<br />in a location that employees know where it's at. And also, you have to have at least
<br />one employee working that knows where the naloxone is and how to administer it, and
<br />if not you may be issued a citation. And you may be issued a fine of $500.00, which
<br />you know I agree that it's a good thing to have the naloxone narcan onsite, but I don't
<br />agree that the fine, I don't think $500.00 is reasonable. But with that being said, you
<br />know it is a law, so again as a Department, we will make sure that our licensees know
<br />and again adopt that mentality of being proactive versus reactive you know, answering
<br />their questions you know. When the investigators go and they do their checks you
<br />know, have them again give a friendly reminder to the licensees about this particular
<br />bill that passed.
<br />Okabe: No. 13, the Department strives to maintain positive work relationships with
<br />licensees and the business community. What will you do to perpetuate and enhance
<br />these relationships in the future?
<br />Waltjen: You know, Gerald as we all know has led this Department at the highest level,
<br />so I will continue to perpetuate all the things that he has put in place. You know, be a
<br />leader that's fair and caring of others, being innovative, thinking outside of the box when
<br />making a decision or when you're trying to help a licensee get something accomplished.
<br />Keeping an open mind to things, and you know a lot of the times our licensees will
<br />actually come to us you know, hey I want to be able to do X,Y, and Z, but I want to stay
<br />compliant, how can I do this? You know, our job is to help them figure it out so they can
<br />have this event, and they can do a service to the community, but also being compliant.
<br />Balancing our Departments purpose while also maintaining and ensuring that our
<br />licensees are successful, because at the end of the day their success is our success.
<br />And treating everyone with respect you know no matter what, no matter who, licensees,
<br />members of the public, you know people who call to complain about maybe something
<br />they've seen or a licensee, but you know always remain professional and respectful.
<br />So, to enhance these relationships, I will you know go out of my way to let the licensees
<br />know or make sure that they feel supported by the Department. And you know that
<br />maybe after they had an event, like giving them a call, finding out how it went, you know
<br />MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION MEETING SPECIAL MEETING - MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2025 - HILO PAGE 23 OF 35
<br />
|