HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-02 Liquor Commission Agenda KonaLIQUOR CONTROL 09/25/2025 02:30 PM
C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D.
Mayor
William V. Brilhante, Jr.
Managing Director
Merrick Nishimoto
Deputy Managing 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
Gerald A. Takase
Director
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
DATE: Thursday, October 2, 2025
TIME: 10:00 A.M.
PLACE: Kona Meeting Room, Department of Liquor Control, Hanama Place
75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 107, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
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: cohdlc(a_hawaiicounty.gov; (2) Fax: (808) 961-8684; or (3) Mail/walk-in:
101 Aupuni Street, Unit 230, Hilo, H196720. 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 — Regular Meeting, September 4, 2025
Executive Session, September 4, 2025
III. Approval of Addendum and/or Supplemental Agenda
IV. Public Statements on Agenda Items
V. Public Hearings
1. APPLICATION NO.:
APPLICANT:
TRADE NAME:
PLACE OF BUSINESS:
TM K:
LICENSE APPLIED FOR:
24-42
Sean's Kitchen LLC
Sean's Kitchen
75-5660 Kopiko Street, Suite B5 and B6,
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
7-5-004:011
Original Restaurant General liquor license,
Category B 1
2. APPLICATION NO.: 25-01
APPLICANT: Big Island Booch Inc.
TRADE NAME: The Booch Bar
PLACE OF BUSINESS: 230 Kekuanaoa Street, Hilo, Hawaii
TM K: 2-2-054:031
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
LIQUOR CONTROL 09/25/2025 02:30 PM
VI.
LICENSE APPLIED FOR: Original Small Craft Producer Pub liquor license,
Category A
3. APPLICATION NO.:
25-02
APPLICANT:
Big Island Booch Inc.
TRADE NAME:
The Booch Bar
PLACE OF BUSINESS:
110 Keawe Street, Hilo, Hawaii
TM K:
2-3-005:008
LICENSE APPLIED FOR:
Adding its current Restaurant General liquor
license, Category B1, as an additional location
to its pending Small Craft Producer Pub liquor
license, Category A, located at 230 Kekuanaoa
Street, Hilo, Hawaii; Increase in its current
Licensed Premises to include an adjacent unit
consisting of 1,200 square feet, and a Change in
Category of its current licensed premises to B2,
from its Restaurant General liquor license,
Category B 1
4. 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, Hawaii
TM K: 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
Preliminary Hearings
1. APPLICATION NO.: 25-05
APPLICANT: GKIVI, Inc.
TRADE NAME: Ko`a Honokohau Harbor
PLACE OF BUSINESS: 74-425 Kealakehe Parkway, Space No. 17,
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TM K: 7-4-008:042
LICENSE APPLIED FOR: Original Restaurant General liquor license,
Category B 1
2. APPLICATION NO.: 25-06
APPLICANT: Black Onyx Entertainment LLC
TRADE NAME: Black Onyx
PLACE OF BUSINESS: 202 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo, Hawaii
TM K: 2-3-007:015
LICENSE APPLIED FOR: Original Cabaret liquor license
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VII. Unfinished Business
1. Change in Members 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, Hawaii.
2. 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.
Vill. New Business
1. K.O. Pizza, dba K.O. Pizza, approval of Updated Alcohol Delivery Compliance
Plan, received August 20, 2025; of its Restaurant General liquor license,
Category B1, located at 55-3406 Akoni Pule Highway, Haw-, Hawaii.
2. Wailuku Brew Works Inc., dba Wailuku Brew Works, approval of Application
for Increase in Licensed Premises, to include it's second story balcony, storage
closet, and restroom, of approximately 290.5 square feet, and approval of
Application for Alteration Permit; of its current licensed premises; of its Small
Craft Producer Pub liquor license, Category B2, located at 16-205 Wiliama Place,
Kea`au, Hawaii.
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3. Request to Extend the Time for Issuance of License Submitted for Approval
a. Four Palms LLC, dba SoKo Kitchen and Cocktails, approval of
request to extend the time for issuance of the liquor license for good
cause shown for an additional 12 months, from October 7, 2025, to and
including October 7, 2026) by letter received September 3, 2025, of its
Restaurant General liquor license, Category B2, located at the Mango
Court Shopping Center, 79-7460 Mamalahoa Highway, Suite #A-104
and 105, Kealakekua, Hawaii.
4. Change in Officers/Directors/Managers Submitted for Approval
a. IES Retail, LLC, dba IES Retail, LLC, approval of Change in Managers,
with the removal of Michael Koike, Joshua Goldman, and Thomas
Lamothe, Managers; effective August 20, 2025, by form received
August 27, 2025; of its Retail Beer and Wine liquor license, located
at 321 Maka`ala Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
b. Safeway Inc., dba Safeway Store #1117, dba Safeway Stores, Inc.
#2893 (Maka'ala), dba Safeway (Hilo Fuel Center), approval of
Change in Officers/Directors as follows:
• Removal of Vivek Sankaran, Chief Executive Officer and President,
and Bradley Beckstrom, Secretary, Director, and Group Vice President;
• Appointment of Robert Larson, as President and Director; and Marilyn
Beardsley, as Vice President, Secretary, and Director;
• Change in Title of Cody Perdue, from Treasurer, Assistant Secretary,
Director, and Group Vice President; to Treasurer, Assistant Secretary,
Director, and Senior Vice President;
effective August 6, 2025, by forms received September 17, 2025;
of its Retail General liquor licenses, located at 75-971 Henry Street,
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and 381 East Maka`ala Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
5. Permits Issued for Ratification
a. Hiroaki Yomo, Solicitor, JFC International Inc., ratification of
Application for Solicitor's Permit, approved by Administrative Officer
Brandon Gonzalez on September 16, 2025, of its Wholesaler -General
liquor license, located at 2968 Koapaka Street, Honolulu, Hawaii.
b. Adrianna Ahia, Solicitor, Ohana Beverage Company, ratification
of Application for Solicitor's Permit, approved by Administrative Officer
Brandon Gonzalez on September 17, 2025, of its Wholesaler -General
liquor license, located at 173 Alamaha Street, Unit 5, Kahului, Hawaii;
and 2915 Kaihikapu Street, Honolulu, Hawaii.
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C. Scott Ushiroda, Solicitor, Ohana Beverage Company, ratification
of Application for Solicitor's Permit, approved by Administrative Officer
Brandon Gonzalez on September 24, 2025, of its Wholesaler -General
liquor license, located at 173 Alamaha Street, Unit 5, Kahului, Hawaii;
and 2915 Kaihikapu Street, Honolulu, Hawaii.
d. Volcano Vineyards, LLC, dba Volcano Winery, ratification of Application
for Entertainment Permit, for an event on September 27, 2025, approved
by Director Gerald Takase on September 22, 2025; of its Winery liquor
license, Category A, located at the Volcano Golf Course Subdivision,
35 Pi`i Mauna Drive, Volcano, Hawaii.
e. Napua Hilo LLC, dba Lehua Restaurant at Imiloa, ratification of
Application for Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises, for an event
on September 23, 2025, approved by Administrative Officer Brandon
Gonzalez on September 15, 2025, of its Restaurant General liquor
license, Category B2, located at 600 Imiloa Place, Hilo, Hawaii.
f. Sakura Japanese Restaurant Inc., dba Sakura Japanese Restaurant,
ratification of request to transfer liquor inventory to Sakura Kona LLC,
dba Sakura Japanese Restaurant, approved by Administrative Officer
Brandon Gonzalez on September 24, 2025, of its Restaurant Beer and
Wine liquor license, Category A, located at the Crossroads Shopping
Center, 75-1027 Henry Street, Suite No. 108B, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
6. Special Licenses Issued for Ratification
a. License No. SP-25-034, Fraternal Order of Eagles, dba Fraternal
Order of Eagles, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license, for events
on September 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27; October 3-4, 10-11, 17-18,
24-25, & 31, 2025, held at 16-111 `Opukaha`ia Street, Kea`au, Hawaii.
b. License No. SP-25-035, Volcano Art Center, dba Volcano Art Center,
for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license, for an event on September 13,
2025, held at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road, Volcano, Hawaii.
C. License No. SP-25-036, Mala`ai, dba Mala`ai, for a Special Beer
and Wine liquor license, for an event on September 6, 2025, held
at 65-1227 Opelo Road, Waimea, Hawaii.
d. License No. SP-25-037, 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 September 11, 2025, held at the Hilo Palace
Theater, 38 Haili Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
e. License No. SP-25-038, 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 September 13, 2025, held at the Hilo Palace
Theater, 38 Haili Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
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f. License No. SP-25-039, Aloha Performing Arts Company, dba
Aloha Theatre, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license, for an event on
September 21, 2025, held at79-7384 Mamalahoa Highway, Kealakekua,
Hawaii.
g. License No. SP-25-040, Kapa Mag-More than a Magazine, dba
Kapa Mag-More than a Magazine, for a Special General liquor
license, for events on September 19-21, 2025, held at Hale Halawai,
75-5760 Ali`i Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
h. License No. SP-25-041, Hilo Community Players, dba Hilo Community
Players, for a Special General liquor license, for events on September 11,
18, 22, 25-27, 2025, held at 280 Keawe Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
i. License No. SP-25-043, Donkey Mill Art Center, dba Donkey Mill
Art Center, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license, for an event
on October 25, 2025, held at 78-6670 Mamalahoa Highway, Holualoa,
Hawaii.
j. License No. SP-25-044, Hawaii Ag and Culinary Alliance, dba
Hawaii Ag and Culinary Alliance, for a Special General liquor license,
for an event on October 17, 2025, held at the Mauna Kea Golf Course,
62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive, Waimea, Hawaii.
7. Transient Vessel Licenses Issued for Ratification
a. License No. TV-25-018, Magical Cruise Company, Limited,
dba Disney Wonder, for a Transient Vessel liquor license,
in port at Hilo Harbor, Hilo, Hawaii, on October 2, 2025.
b. License No. TV-25-019, Carnival License Holdings Limited,
dba Carnival Legend, for a Transient Vessel liquor license,
in port at Hilo Harbor, Hilo, Hawaii, on September 29, 2025.
C. License No. TV-25-020, Carnival License Holdings Limited,
dba Carnival Spirit, for a Transient Vessel liquor license,
in port at Hilo Harbor, Hilo, Hawaii, on October 5, 2025.
d. License No. TV-25-021, Carnival License Holdings Limited,
dba Carnival Radiance, for a Transient Vessel liquor license,
in port at Hilo Harbor, Hilo, Hawaii, on October 26, December 7,
2025; January 18, February 15, March 15, & April 12, 2026.
e. License No. TV-25-022, Intercruises as agents for Celebrity
Cruises, dba Celebrity Edge, for a Transient Vessel liquor license,
in port at Hilo Harbor, Hilo, Hawaii, on September 27, 2025.
f. License No. TV-25-023, Intercruises as agents for Celebrity
Cruises, dba Celebrity Solstice, for a Transient Vessel liquor license,
in port at Hilo Harbor, Hilo, Hawaii, on September 28, 2025.
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g. License No. TV-25-024, Intercruises as agents for Celebrity Cruises,
dba Celebrity Edge, for a Transient Vessel liquor license, in port at
Kona Harbor, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on September 28, 2025.
h. License No. TV-25-025, Intercruises as agents for Celebrity Cruises,
dba Celebrity Solstice, for a Transient Vessel liquor license, in port
at Kona Harbor, Kailua-Kona Hawaii, on September 29-30, 2025.
8. Memorandum Dated September 4, 2025, Hawaii County Salary
Commission's Inquiry to the Appointing Authorities Concerning
Proposed Salary Adjustments for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
9. Reminder Regarding Sunshine Law, Not to Discuss Commission
Business While at Events.
IX. Announcements
Meetings of the Liquor Commission
November 6, 2025, 10:00 A.M., Hilo Meeting Room, Department of Liquor
Control, Hilo Lagoon Centre, 101 Aupuni Street, Unit 230, Hilo, Hawaii.
December 4, 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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