HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-04 Liquor Commission Agenda HiloC. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D.
Mayor
William V. Brilhante, Jr.
Managing Director
Merrick Nishimoto
Deputy Managing Director
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Gerald A. Takase
Director
County of Hawaii
LIQUOR COMMISSION
Hilo Lagoon Centre, 101 Aupuni Street, Unit 230, Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4261
(808) 961-8218 • Fax (808) 961-8684
E-Mail: cohdlc@hawaiicounty.gov
DATE: Thursday, September 4, 2025
TIME: 10:00 A.M.
PLACE: Hilo Meeting Room, Department of Liquor Control,
Hilo Lagoon Centre, 101 Aupuni Street, Unit 230, Hilo, Hawaii
Wil Okabe, Chair
David Greenwell, Vice Chair
Gene Nakashima, Commissioner
Laurisa Nishimoto, Commissioner
Alan Okamoto, Commissioner
Arthur Taniguchi, Commissioner
Melvin Ventura, Commissioner
Jennifer Yadao, Commissioner
Vacant, Commissioner
Public Testimony may be done in person, or in writing by email, fax, or
mail/walk-in. To ensure timely delivery to the Commission, written testimony
must be received by 12:00 noon on the business day prior to the meeting by:
(1) Email: cohd/c0-hawaiicounty.pov; (2) Fax: (808) 961-8684; or (3) Mail/walk-in:
101 Aupuni Street, Unit 230, Hilo, HI 96720. Indicate agenda item submitting for;
submit separate testimony for each item. All testimony regardless of time of
receipt will be part of the permanent record.
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
II. Approval of Minutes — August 7, 2025
III. Approval of Addendum and/or Supplemental Agenda
IV. Public Statements on Agenda Items
V. Public Hearings
1. APPLICATION NO.: 24-41
APPLICANT: Hamakua Distillery LLC
TRADE NAME: Hamakua Distillery
PLACE OF BUSINESS: 28-3254 Beach Road, Pepe`ekeo, Hawaii
TMK: 2-8-008.044
LICENSE APPLIED FOR: Original Manufacturer liquor license
2. APPLICATION NO.: 24-43
APPLICANT: JKL & Associates, LLC
TRADE NAME: E Komo Mai Diner Bar & Grill
PLACE OF BUSINESS: Waiakea Square Warehouse, 200 Kanoelehua
Avenue, #106, Hilo, Hawaii
TMK: 2-2-032.095
LICENSE APPLIED FOR: Original Cabaret liquor license
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
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VI. Preliminary Hearings
1. APPLICATION NO.: T25-03
APPLICANT: JR Ohana Grill, LLC
TRADE NAME: Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill (Kona)
PLACE OF BUSINESS: Pottery Terrace, Suite L, 75-5995 Kuakini
Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i
TMK: 7-5-030.024
LICENSE APPLIED FOR: Sale and Transfer of the Restaurant General
liquor license, Category B2, currently held by
Big Island Restaurant Group, LLC, dba Jackie
Rey's O'hana Grill Kona
VII. Unfinished Business
1. Change in Officers/Directors/Members/Managers Submitted for Approval
a. RMG Waikoloa, LLC, dba Romano's Macaroni Grill, approval
of Change in Members and Application for Transfer of Membership
Interest as follows:
• Removal of RMG Acquisition Company, LLC, Member;
• Appointment of Manna Restaurant Group LLC, as Member;
• Transfer of 100% Membership Interest from RMG Acquisition Company,
LLC to Manna Restaurant Group LLC;
Personal History and Affidavit for Jason Roe, Member of Manna
Restaurant Group LLC;
effective July 12, 2024, by forms received June 13, 2025; of its Restaurant
General liquor license, Category B1, located at the Queens' MarketPlace,
69-201 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Suite 1010, Waikoloa, Hawai'i.
Vill. New Business
1. AOK Enterprises, Inc., dba Volcano's Lava Rock Cafe, approval of
Application for Change to a Class 2, Restaurant license from its Dispenser
General liquor license, Category B2, located at 19-3972 Old Volcano
Highway, Volcano, Hawai'i.
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2. Change in Officers/Directors Submitted for Approval
a. Hilo Lodge, No. 759, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
of the United States of America, dba B.P.O. Elks No. 759, approval of
Change in Officers/Directors as follows:
• Removal of Lily Chan -Harris, President; Gary Larson, Vice President;
and Marva Lynn Chew Secretary; effective April 1, 2025;
• Removal of Pamela Paulo, Loren Pabila, Taryll Moore, and Elizabeth
Moore, Directors; effective April 1, 2025;
• Appointment of Clyde Ferreria, as President; and Virginia Mercado,
as Secretary and Director; effective April 1, 2025;
• Appointment of John Regan, Greg Molina, Russell Calhoon, and
Richard Davis, as Directors and Trustees; effective April 1, 2025;
• Appointment of Beth Sabala, and Melanie Magno, as Directors;
effective April 1, 2025;
• Change in Title of Sandra Walker, from Treasurer to Vice President
and Director; effective April 1, 2025;
• Change in Title of Tantra Bates, from Director and Trustee, to
Treasurer and Director; effective April 1, 2025;
• Removal of Greg Molina, Director and Trustee, effective May 14, 2025;
• Personal History and Affidavits for Clyde Ferreria, President; Virginia
Mercado, Secretary and Director; John Regan, Russell Calhoon, and
Richard Davis, Directors and Trustees; and Beth Sabala, and Melanie
Magno, Directors;
by forms received May 30, 2025; of its Club liquor license, Category B2,
located at 150 Kino'ole Street, Hilo, Hawai'i.
b. Waikoloa Village Association, dba Waikoloa Village Golf Course,
approval of Change in Directors, with the appointment of David Bruno,
as Director, effective June 24, 2025, by form received July 16, 2025;
and the Personal History and Affidavit for David Bruno, Director; of its
Restaurant General liquor license, Category B2, located at 68-1792
Melia Street, Waikoloa, Hawai'i.
C. Accor Management US Inc., dba The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii ,
approval of Change in Officers, with the appointment of Caroline Salomon,
as Vice President, Legal Counsel, Luxury & Lifestyle North America and
Secretary; effective July 24, 2025, by form received August 1, 2025. and
the Personal History and Affidavit for Caroline Salomon, Vice President,
Legal Counsel, Luxury & Lifestyle North America, and Secretary; of its
Hotel liquor license, located at One North Kaniku Drive, Kohala Coast,
Hawai'i.
3. Foods O' Hawaii Delivery Corp., dba Da Taste Kona, ratification of request to
transfer liquor inventory to Umekes, LLC, dba Umeke's Fish Market Bar & Grill,
approved by Director Gerald Takase on August 25, 2025, of its Restaurant
General liquor license, Category B1, located at the Ali'i Plaza, 75-5742 Kuakini
Highway, Suite 104, Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i.
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4. Solicitor's Permit Issued for Ratification
a. Roberto Viernes, Solicitor, Lotus Spirits LLC, ratification of Application
for Solicitor's Permit, approved by Director Gerald Takase on August 8,
2025, of its Wholesaler -General liquor license, located at 521 Ala Moana
Blvd, Pier 2, FTZ #9, Honolulu, Hawai'i.
b. Hidekazu Ito, Solicitor, The Cherry Company, Ltd., ratification of
Application for Solicitor's Permit, approved by Director Gerald Takase
on August 18, 2025, of its Retail -General liquor license, located
at 3375 Koapaka Street, #A-185, Honolulu, Hawai'i.
C. Garrett Low, Solicitor, The Cherry Company, Ltd., ratification of
Application for Solicitor's Permit, approved by Director Gerald Takase
on August 18, 2025, of its Retail -General liquor license, located
at 3375 Koapaka Street, #A-185, Honolulu, Hawai'i.
5. Game Permits Issued for Ratification
a. Kona, Hawaii, Lodge No. 2616, Benevolent & Protective Order of
Elks of the United States of America, dba Kona Elks Club, ratification
of Application for Game Permits, for events on August 6 & 21, 2025;
approved by Director Gerald Takase on August 4, 2025; of its Club liquor
license, Category B2, located at 75-170 Hualalai Road, Suite E-100,
Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i.
6. Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises Issued for Ratification
a. LBC Volcano LLC, dba Lanikai Brewing Company, ratification
of Application for Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises, for
an event on October 4, 2025, approved by Director Gerald Takase
on August 6, 2025, of its Restaurant General liquor license,
Category B1, located at 19-4005 Haunani Road, Volcano, Hawai'i.
b. Smash Daddy's LLC, dba Smash Daddy's, ratification of
Application for Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises, for an
event on August 23, 2025, approved by Director Gerald Takase on
August 19, 2025, of its Restaurant General liquor license, Category
B1, located at the Waikoloa Plaza, 68-1820 Waikoloa Road, #E105,
Waikoloa, Hawai'i.
C. Island Hopper Pahoa LLC, dba Island Hopper Taproom,
ratification of Application for Temporary Increase in Licensed
Premises, for events beginning September 10, 2025, every 2nd
and 4th Wednesday till November, approved by Director Gerald
Takase on August 8, 2025, of its Restaurant General liquor license,
Category B1, located at The Shops at Mauna Lani, 68-1330 Mauna
Lani Drive, Suite 108, Kamuela, Hawai'i.
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d. Napua Hilo LLC, dba Lehua Restaurant at Imiloa, ratification
of Application for Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises, for
an event on August 11, 2025, approved by Director Gerald Takase
on on August 8, 2025; of its Restaurant General liquor license,
Category B2, located at 600 Imiloa Place, Hilo, Hawaii.
e. Kuleana Spirits, Inc., dba Kuleana Rum Shack, ratification
of Application for Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises,
for events every Thursday starting September 4, 2025, approved
by Director Gerald Takase on August 21, 2025; of its Small Craft
Producer Pub liquor license, Category B1, located at the Queens'
MarketPlace, 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Spaces H5, H6 and
H7, Waikoloa, Hawaii.
f. Sodexo America, LLC, dba Sodexo America, LLC, ratification
of Application for Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises, for an
event on September 4, 2025, approved by Director Gerald Takase
on on August 19, 2025; of its Restaurant Beer and Wine liquor
license, Category B2, located at the Campus Center Cafeteria,
University of Hawaii at Hilo, 200 West Kawili Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
g. Berj Corporation, dba My Bar, ratification of Application for
Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises, to include parking lot
for events on September 12 - 13, 2025, approved by Director
Gerald Takase on August 25, 2025, of its Dispenser General liquor
license, Category B2, located at the Luhia Center I, 74-5606 Luhia
Street, Spaces Al, A2, A3 and A413, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
h. Kona, Hawaii, Lodge No. 2616, Benevolent & Protective Order
of Elks of the United States of America, dba Kona Elks Club,
ratification of Application for Temporary Increase in Licensed
Premises, for an event on September 5, 2025, approved by
Director Gerald Takase on August 26, 2025, of its Temporary
Club liquor license, Category B2, located at 75-170 Hualalai Road,
Suite E-100, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
7. Special Licenses Issued for Ratification
a. License No. SP-25-010, Na`alehu Theatre, dba Na`alehu Theatre,
for a Special General liquor license, for an event on August 28, 2025,
held at the Pukalani Stables, 67-139 Pukalani Road, Kamuela, Hawaii.
b. License No. SP-25-020, Volcano Art Center, dba Volcano Art Center,
for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license, for an event on August 9, 2025,
held at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road, Volcano, Hawaii.
C. License No. SP-25-021, Hilo Community Players, dba Hilo Community
Players, for a Special General liquor license, for events on August 1, 7,
14, 16, 21, 23 & 28, 2025, held at 280 Keawe Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
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d. License No. SP-25-022, The Friends of the Palace Theater, dba
The Friends of the Palace Theater, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor
license, for an event on August 7, 2025, held at the Hilo Palace Theater,
38 Haili Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
e. License No. SP-25-023, The Friends of the Palace Theater, dba
The Friends of the Palace Theater, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor
license, for an event on August 8 &9, 2025, held at the Hilo Palace
Theater, 38 Haili Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
License No. SP-25-024, The Friends of the Palace Theater, dba
The Friends of the Palace Theater, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor
license, for an event on August 10, 2025, held at the Hilo Palace Theater,
38 Haili Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
g. License No. SP-25-025, The Friends of the Palace Theater, dba
The Friends of the Palace Theater, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor
license, for an event on August 15, 2025, held at the Hilo Palace Theater,
38 Haili Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
h. License No. SP-25-026, The Friends of the Palace Theater, dba
The Friends of the Palace Theater, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor
license, for an event on August 29, 2025, held at the Hilo Palace Theater,
38 Haili Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
L License No. SP-25-027, Donkey Mill Art Center, dba Donkey Mill
Art Center, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license, for an event
on August 23, 2025, held at 78-6670 Mamalahoa Highway, Holualoa,
Hawaii.
j. License No. SP-25-028, Aloha Performing Arts Company, dba Aloha
Theatre, for a Special General liquor license, for an event on August 23,
2025, held at 79-7384 Mamalahoa Highway, Kealakekua, Hawaii.
k. License No. SP-25-029, Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, dba Rotary Club
of Hilo Bay, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license, for an event on
September 26, 2025, held at the Sanga Hall, 424 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo,
Hawaii.
I. License No. SP-25-030, Kahilu Theatre Foundation, dba Kahilu
Theatre Foundation, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license,
for events on September 6, 11, 12, 13, 19, 21 & 27, 2025, held at
67-1186 Lindsey Road, Kamuela, Hawaii.
M. License No. SP-25-031, Hawaii Executive Collaborative, dba
Hawaii Executive Collaborative, for a Special General liquor license,
for events from October 1 - 4, 2025, held at 68-1400 Mauna Lani Drive,
Kohala Coast, Hawaii.
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08/29/2025 08:06 AM
n. License No. SP-25-032, Hilo Downtown Improvement Foundation,
dba Hilo Downtown Improvement Foundation, for a Special Beer and
Wine liquor license, for an event on September 16, 2025, held at the
Sanga Hall, 424 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo, Hawaii.
o. License No. SP-25-033, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, dba
Puna Hongwanji Mission, for a Special General liquor license, for an
event on September 27, 2025, held at 16-492 Old Volcano Road, Keaau,
Hawaii.
8. Memorandum dated May 23, 2025, Report of NABCA 88t" Annual
Conference — Forward Together, Stronger Tomorrow.
9. Referral for Executive Session, Selection Process for the New Director
of the Department of Liquor Control, Deputy Corporation Counsel Keyra Wong,
requesting an attorney -client confidential discussion to consult with the Commission
regarding the above matter.
The Commission anticipates convening an executive meeting pursuant to
Section 92-5(a)(4) of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, as amended, for the purpose
of consulting with the Commission's attorney on questions and issues pertaining
to the Commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities. A 2/3
vote of the members present is necessary to hold an executive meeting, pursuant
to Section 92-4(a) of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, as amended.
10. Marzo's Country Sports Bar & Grill LLC, dba Marzo's Country Sports Bar
& Grill, RE: Application No. 23-15 - Request to Extend Time Issuance of
Liquor License, approval of request to extend the time for issuance of the
liquor license for good cause shown for an additional 6 months, from October 4,
2025, to and including April 4, 2026, by letter received August 29, 2025, of its
Restaurant General liquor license, Category B2, located at the Puna Kai
Shopping Center, 15-2714 Pahoa Village Road, Suite D1 and D2, Pahoa,
Hawaii.
IX. Announcements
Meetings of the Liquor Commission
October 2, 2025, 10:00 A.M., Kona Meeting Room, Department of
Liquor Control, 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 107, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
November 6, 2025, 10:00 A.M., Hilo Meeting Room, Department of Liquor
Control, Hilo Lagoon Centre, 101 Aupuni Street, Unit 230, Hilo, Hawaii.
X. Adjournment
For information relative to any of the above -mentioned applications and/or procedures for protesting
against a liquor license, call the Department of Liquor Control at (808) 961-8218.
Anyone requiring auxiliary aid / service or other accommodation due to a disability, contact the
Department of Liquor Control at (808) 961-8218, or by email at cohdlc@hawaiicounty.gov,
as soon as possible. Requests made as early as possible have a greater likelihood of being fulfilled.
Upon request, this notice is available in alternate accessible formats.
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