2018-11-01 Liquor Commission Minutes

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Arakaki: Is the brewery going to keep doing the same kind of beers, or doing something different? Bender: We have some other recipes that we're looking at investing, and try to consolidate and do some things that we know from the sales and our distribution partner, Johnson Brothers. I've met with them and they've given me some good feedback about what really is well-received and what is sort of not above the 80-20 rule. We're going to focus on the winners and try to introduce some seasonal beers and things that will re -invigorate the public's interest in what we're doing as well as re- address the packaging and try to brand it so it's not so confusing. There's some Mehana beers, there's Hawaii Nui beers, so what is it? We want to bring it all together in some new packaging and what I'II call a re -launch in the community in terms of re- invigorating people's interest and being able to identify what it is. Chu: Mr. Bender was involved in creating the Hawaiian Springs water on the map and to the public in the 90's. Bender: In 1997 I took it public on the NASDAQ, but I started in 1994. Before that I had hands in sodas and so on. I've been in the beverage business since 1981, with Hinano beer in Tahiti. I was the importer for many years for the Martin family. I sort of got baptized in the beverage business in beer and my exit will be in beer, so to speak. Taniguchi: When you were under Hawaii Nui, that was on Kauai, right? Bender: My understanding of it, the history of it, it was a brewery on Kauai that merged together with Mehana. Then they went bankrupt. Taniguchi: They were brewing everything up there or still doing everything here? Bender: I think it was all here, just under different labels. I think there was even one called Keoki, if I'm not mistaken, back in the day. So, there was Hawaii Nui, Keoki, Mehana, everybody was trying to figure out who's going to succeed in being the primary name and I don't think anyone really came to any conclusion. Taniguchi: Getting back to Mr. Hughes' question about the restrooms, somebody mentioned that they were at Mehana's tasting room and tourists asked to use the restroom and was told there was no public restroom. You might want to check with your employee on that, because I heard the same thing. It was a good question. Thompson: There are two public restrooms. Bender: I've used the restroom there, that's why I said yes. Taniguchi: But they said no public (restrooms). You're an employee. Maybe it was just a miscommunication type of thing. NOVEMBER 1, 2018 - LIQUOR COMMISSION MINUTES 14