2026-02-05 Liquor Commission Minutes Kona

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Ventura: So, if they had a permanent license, would they still have to keep applying for these game permits? Waltjen: Yes. Ventura: I see. Nakashima: What's a game permit? Waltjen: They have like bingo, or they sometimes they have like poker that resemble gambling, so anytime they have that they have to submit regardless if they have a temporary license or a permanent license. Okay, so we did issue them a temporary where they paid their fee for the license year instead of coming back to get a special license, which I think they were doing before, right? As a non-profit, they were doing that. We were working with them to get their temporary license in place so they didn't have to keep coming back for that, while they actively work to get their inspections done. So, there's that but they still would have to submit these game permits because they do have events there that mimic gambling like bingo. Greenwell: Stacie, could there be another category added to include gaming licenses if you have a permanent license, or is there something else that can be done versus, mean this just takes time to address. Waltjen: Personally, I don't think so I think because it mimics gambling, maybe that's their way of keeping things in control so everyone is aware that you know, so we know. So, every time they have a game permit, we put it on top of their events folder so our investigators know, okay they're going to have an event that has bingo there, or has poker there. So, they will go and do their checks to make sure that the licensee is compliant with whatever they should be compliant with having these type of events. So, I guess this is kind of like our check and balance to make sure nothing is going wrong. Morifuji: And, in my opinion the Department is following the law, they're issuing a temporary license not to hold back the business, but the temporary licensee is having that option to apply for a game permit. So, they want to apply for a game permit, so like Stacie said, all the licensees if they have any games resemble gambling and you do not submit a game permit and it's not approved, that is a violation of the liquor law. So, the Department is following the law and trying to provide and help the businesses succeed or survive. Isn't this building new, maybe like the past 3 — 4 years? Waltjen: No, I think it's been there for a while, my understanding. Taniguchi: But this is like the Elks Club, right? So, they not open to the public for whatever, just members, right? Waltjen: They do have events there that I think they do have members and that's why even more so, they came in for a restaurant license versus a club license. MINUTES -LIQUOR COMMISSION MEETING - THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2026 - KONA PAGE 23 OF 29