HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-05 Liquor Commission Agenda KonaC. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D.
Mayor
William V. Brilhante, Jr.
Managing Director
Merrick Nishimoto
Deputy Managing Director
LIQUOR CONTROL 01/29/2026 12:36 PM
Stacie T. Waltjen
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, February 5, 2026
TIME: 10:00 A.M.
Jennifer Yadao, Chair
Wil Okabe, Vice Chair
David Greenwell, Commissioner
Steve Morifuji, Commissioner
Gene Nakashima, Commissioner
Laurisa Nishimoto, Commissioner
Alan Okamoto, Commissioner
Arthur Taniguchi, Commissioner
Melvin Ventura. Commissioner
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: 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 - December 15, 2025 - Special Meeting, Regular Session
December 15, 2025 - Special Meeting, Executive Session
January 8, 2026 — Regular Session
III. Approval of Addendum and/or Supplemental Agenda
IV. Public Statements on Agenda Items
Interested persons wishing to provide testimony on any agenda item may do so
now or at the time the specific agenda item is called.
V. Public Hearings
1. APPLICATION NO.:
APPLICANT:
TRADE NAME:
PLACE OF BUSINESS:
TM K:
LICENSE APPLIED FOR:
25-09
Itsuko's LLC
Itsuko's Kitchen / Banzai 47
1550 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo, Hawaii
2-2-032.010
Original Restaurant General, Category B2
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
LIQUOR CONTROL 01/29/2026 12:36 PM
2. APPLICATION NO.: 25-10
APPLICANT: Morningwood, LLC
TRADE NAME: Morningwood
PLACE OF BUSINESS: 68-1845 Waikoloa Road, Suite 107-109,
Waikoloa, Hawaii
TMK: 6-8-003.007
LICENSE APPLIED FOR: Original Restaurant General, Category B2
VI. Preliminary Hearings
1. APPLICATION NO.: 25-14
APPLICANT: The Hidden Nene, LLC
TRADE NAME: The Hidden Nene
PLACE OF BUSINESS: 58 Furneaux Lane, Hilo, Hawaii
TMK: 2-3-008.021
LICENSE APPLIED FOR: Original Dispenser General liquor license,
Category B1
VII. Unfinished Business - None
Vill. New Business
1. Puna Chocolate Company, dba Puna Chocolate Company, ratification of
Application for Reduction in Licensed Premises, of approximately 944 square
feet, approved by Director Stacie Waltjen on January 16, 2026, of its Restaurant
General liquor license, Category B1, located at 277 Keawe Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
2. Puna Chocolate Company, dba Hale Cocoa, approval of Application for
Increase in Licensed Premises to include approximately 1,306 square feet of
covered lanai and 3,600 square feet of lawn space for a total of approximately
4,906 square feet, approved by Director Stacie Waltjen on January 15, 2026, of
its Restaurant General liquor license, Category B1, located at 79-7378 Hawaii
Belt Road, Kealakekua, Hawaii.
3. Kalikala Cuisine Inc., dba Kalikala Cuisine, approval of Application for
Change to a Class 2, Restaurant license from its Dispenser General liquor
license, Category B1, located at the Kona Banyan Court, 75-5695 Ali`i Drive,
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
4. Change in Officers/Directors Submitted for Approval
a. KBXtreme, LLC, dba KBXtreme, approval of Change in Officers /
Directors to WLW Development Methods, Inc., Manager, as follows:
• Removal of Elaine Higashi, Secretary, effective December 31, 2025;
• Change in Title of Pamela Wong, from Assistant Secretary and Director,
to Secretary and Director, effective January 1, 2026;
of its Restaurant General liquor license, Category B2, located at
75-5591 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
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LIQUOR CONTROL 01/29/2026 12:36 PM
5. Permits Issued for Ratification
a. Puna Chocolate Company, dba Hale Cocoa, ratification of Application
for Alteration Permit to include 1,306 square feet, approved by Director
Stacie Waltjen on January 15, 2026, of its Restaurant General liquor
license, Category B1, located at 79-7378 Hawaii Belt Road, Kealakekua,
Hawaii.
b. Volcano Vineyards, LLC, dba Volcano Winery, ratification of
Application for Entertainment Permits, for events on January 11 & 24,
2026, approved by Director Stacie Waltjen on January 9, 2026; of its
Winery liquor license, Category A, located at the Volcano Golf Course
Subdivision, 35 Pi`i Mauna Drive, Volcano, Hawaii.
C. Accor Management US Inc., dba The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii,
ratification of Application for Game Permits, for events on January
27 & 31, 2026, approved by Director Stacie Waltjen on January 15, 2026,
of its Hotel liquor license, located at One North Kaniku Drive, Kohala
Coast, Hawaii.
d. Christopher Camero Memorial VFW Post 12122, dba VFW Post 12122,
ratification of Application for Game Permits, for an event on February 19,
2026; and events on February 1 - 28, 2026, approved by Director Stacie
Waltjen on January 22, 2026; of its Temporary Restaurant General liquor
license, Category B2, located at 74-5543 Kaiwi Street, Suite 3-A185a and
3-A185b, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
6. Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises Issued for Ratification
a. Berj Corporation, dba My Bar, ratification of Application
for Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises, for an event
on January 24, 2026, approved by Director Stacie Waltjen
on January 8, 2026; of its Dispenser General liquor license,
Category B2, located at the Luhia Center I, 74-5606 Luhia Street,
Spaces Al A27 A3 and A413, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
b. DJL Holualoa LLC, dba Holualoa Farm Kitchen, ratification of
Application for Temporary Increase in Licensed Premises, for an
event on January 9, 2026, approved by Director Stacie Waltjen on
January 8, 2026, of its Restaurant General liquor license, Category
B1, located at 76-5900 Old Government Road, Holualoa, Hawaii.
7. Special Licenses Issued for Ratification
a. License No. SP-25-089, 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 January 2, 2026, held at the Hilo Palace Theater,
38 Haili Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
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LIQUOR CONTROL 01/29/2026 12:36 PM
b. License No. SP-25-090, 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 January 9, 2026, held at the Hilo Palace Theater,
38 Haili Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
C. License No. SP-25-091, 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 January 10, 2026, held at the Hilo Palace Theater,
38 Haili Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
d. License No. SP-25-092, 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 January 15, 2026, held at the Hilo Palace Theater,
38 Haili Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
e. License No. SP-25-093, 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 January 23, 2026, held at the Hilo Palace Theater,
38 Haili Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
License No. SP-25-094, Volcano Art Center, dba Volcano Art Center,
for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license, for an event on January 10,
2026, held at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road, Volcano, Hawaii.
g. License No. SP-25-095, Donkey Mill Art Center, dba Donkey Mill
Art Center, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license, for an event
on February 21, 2026, held at 78-6670 Mamalahoa Highway, Holualoa,
Hawaii.
h. License No. SP-25-096, Knights of Columbus Council No. 13227
St. Michael the Archangel, dba Knights of Columbus Council No.
13227 St. Michael the Archangel, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor
license, for an event on February 14, 2026, held at 75-5769 Ali`i Drive,
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
L License No. SP-25-097, Aloha Performing Arts Company, dba Aloha
Theatre, for a Special General liquor license, for events on January 30;
February 6, 13-157 20-227 27-28; March 1, 6-87 2026, held at the Aloha
Theatre, 79-7384 Mamalahoa Highway, Kealakekua, Hawaii.
j. License No. SP-25-098, Hawaii Island Humane Society, dba Hawaii
Island Humane Society, for a Special General liquor license, for an
event on March 21, 2026, held at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai,
72-100 Ka`upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
k. License No. SP-25-099, Daughters of Hawaii, dba Daughters of
Hawaii, for a Special General liquor license, for an event on February 7,
2026, held at 75-5718 Ali`i Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
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LIQUOR CONTROL 01/29/2026 12:36 PM
I. License No. SP-25-100, Kahilu Theatre Foundation, dba Kahilu
Theatre Foundation, for a Special Beer and Wine liquor license,
for events on February 6, 7, 14, 16, 19, 20, 22, 26-28, 2026, held
at 67-1186 Lindsey Road, Kam uela, Hawaii.
8. Transient Vessel Licenses Issued for Ratification
a. License No. TV-25-031, TUI Cruises GmBH, dba Europa 2, for a
Transient Vessel liquor license, in port at Hilo Harbor, Hilo, Hawaii,
on February 4 & 5, 2026.
b. License No. TV-25-032, MOL Cruisesm, Ltd., dba Mitsui Ocean
Cruises/Mitsui Ocean Fuji, for a Transient Vessel liquor license,
in port at Kona Harbor, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on February 19, 2026.
C. License No. TV-25-033, MOL Cruisesm, Ltd., dba Mitsui Ocean
Cruises/Mitsui Ocean Fuji, for a Transient Vessel liquor license,
in port at Hilo Harbor, Hilo, Hawaii, on February 23, 2026.
IX. Announcements
Meetings of the Liquor Commission
March 5, 2026, 10:00 A.M., Hilo Meeting Room, Department of Liquor
Control, Hilo Lagoon Centre, 101 Aupuni Street, Unit 230, Hilo, Hawaii.
April 2, 2026, 10:00 A.M., Kona Meeting Room, Department of Liquor
Control, 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 107, Kailua-Kona, 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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