2025-12-15 Liquor Commission Minutes Hilo (Special Meeting)

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Okamoto: Commissioner Okamoto, thank you all applicants. I thought all of them were great and kind of like the opposites, it was for me how you guys performed in the interview. Stacie was more fluent and very controlled, kept me and everybody engaged in the whole applicant process, so I voted for Stacie. Okabe: Well, as Chair you know, I want to thank you for applying because anytime you are applying for an executive position, you have to have the minimum qualifications, and that wasn't the primary factors in your guys interviews. I think when I took notes in regards to all of the applicants, I felt that upholding the law was very evident in all of your responses and making sure that we follow the process and guidelines. But I think that going to the interview I looked at certain words, it was integrity, upholding the Department, looking at I guess you mentioned about the legacy in regards to Gerald. You know, as far as the Commission is concerned for the Big Island, we are at the top compared to any island, and many of you mentioned that. And I think that talking about the climate within the office was very important. Ideas of schools trying to get different kinds of programs. One thing that I thought was very interesting was about Stacie's comment about trying to streamline the process of paying fees to the MasterCard. In regards to Stacie, she had a lot of experience outside of this particular Department working in the Mayor's office, working at Corporation Counsel. All of you had very good recommendations from people outside in the community. And I would commend you for that but I think as a vote on this particular new Director, I hope that all of you would be able to support the new Director, and I'm sure the staff will also support the new Director as well. So, I think the general climate, the general feeling of this ohana, the purpose of the Liquor Commission in the community in fostering positive relationships with the licensees is very important, and that was very evident in the discussions. Okay, so if there's no other questions, I'd like to entertain a motion from the Commission so we can move forward to select a new Liquor Director. Morifuji: This is Morifuji, I make the motion to appoint Stacie Waltjen as the new Director of the Department of Liquor Control effective January 1, 2026. Nishimoto: Commissioner Nishimoto, second. Commissioner Morifuji moved to appoint Stacie Waltjen as the new Director of the Department of Liquor Control effective January 1, 2026; Seconded by Commissioner Nishimoto. Okabe: Any discussion? There was no discussion by Commissioners. MINUTES - LIQUOR COMMISSION MEETING SPECIAL MEETING - MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2025 - HILO PAGE 33 OF 35