2018-05-03 Liquor Commission Minutes

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Heidenfeldt: Good morning. My name is Bruce Heidenfeldt and I'm a retired police officer. I worked in Hilo for 24 years. Back in the day, Shooter's, first watch was a nightmare. I almost got stabbed and a friend went out; Officer Ronald Jitchaku passed away May 7, 1990, the anniversary is next week Monday. It's been 20 years that he's been gone. He was hit in the head on Banyan Drive when there was a riot and alcohol was involved and that's my concern. Today Banyan Drive is an awesome place to live and to work and to play. But, playing with fuel and fire and alcohol just doesn't mix. And I just leave it with you. Thank you for your time, have a great day everyone. Taniguchi: Thank you. Are there any other persons wishing to testify? There was no other testimony. Taniguchi: Since none, Commissioners, any questions? Mr. Lopez? Lopez: When I read the Application, I thought it would be a slam-dunk. It seemed like an easy thing to do. But, I'm heartened by the number of people who have come out and send their voice. Thank you very much for that. I need to get grounded here, because after hearing that question about Cabaret license, Hotel license, and possibility of operating a cabaret until 4:00 A.M., does there have to be another application for a Cabaret license for what they're proposing could occur? Or can it be done under the existing license? Gonzalez: To operate a cabaret, they would have to apply for a Cabaret license. But, to simplify what the main concern is for the residents; there are several members here that were actually part of the Commission or affiliated with the Commission that attended the special meetings regarding Shooter's. In that situation, there was a licensee (Cabaret) that was within the building and when they held special events, the vibrations from the bass for the event and the conduct of the attendees created issues for the residents that lived in the building or the transient guests that would occasionally stay there. I think the main issue here is the fear that there will be operations involving alcohol until 4:00 A.M. which is what the Naniloa Hotel license allows them to do on the Hotel property. But what I was trying to say was that the Applicant has stated that they are applying for the increase for beverage cart service on the golf course which they anticipate ending by 6:00 P.M. One way to assure operations is, maybe, the Applicant is willing to state that if they plan to have events on the golf course beyond 6:00 P.M., then they would apply and notify the Department. The Commission could impose that as a condition and maybe that would make the residents feel more comfortable and address the main concern about going beyond the golf course operation time. Lopez: My understanding then is under the current Hotel license, the problem they're commenting about could still exist irrespective of this golf course extension, within the Hotel. Gonzalez: For the hours of operation, yes. Lopez: So we're dealing with just the golf course as an extension of the area to serve alcohol? May 3, 2018 — LIQUOR COMMISSION MINUTES 19