Kaua‘i Liquor Control Commission to hear testimony on new rule changes

Proposed amendments to the Kauaʻi Liquor Control Commission rules and regulations will be open to public testimony during a hearing next week.

The Liquor Control Commission will be going over proposed amendments that update and clarify existing provisions, repeal certain restrictions, and align the rules with current State law and industry practices.

Notable proposed changes include:

• Rule 4.7(b) – Gross liquor sales report, percentage fee, and records – Changes percentage fee due date from October 30 to October 31.
• Rule 4.7(c) – Gross liquor sales report, percentage fee, and records – Changes the date from September 30 to October 31 for licensees who pay their annual percentage fee in installments.
• Rule 5.1(c) – Terms of licenses and permits – Adds “except for good cause” to allow for extensions being granted after 180 days after application approval.
• Rule 7.5(b) – Music, dancing, and entertainment, exception – Removes “who is not less than eighteen years of age” from impromptu entertainment (karaoke).
• Rule 7.13 – Fight and disturbance reports – Removes “or emergency medical services personnel are” and adds “is.”
• Rule 7.15(c) – Practices that promote excessive consumption of liquor prohibited – Adds “This paragraph shall not apply to private functions for which a hosted bar is utilized, such as wedding receptions, or public functions such as luau and brunches where liquor is inclusive, or other similar events where liquor service is incidental to food service.”

The public hearing will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24 in the Office of Boards and Commissions, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 300, Līhu‘e. Interested persons may submit written testimony to the Commission before the hearing or present comments in person on Sept. 24.

All rules and regulations can be viewed at the Līhu‘e Civic Center, Mo‘ikeha Building, Suite 120, during regular business hours. Copies may also be requested by calling 808-241-4967 or emailing mkelekoma@kauai.gov.

Contact the Department of Liquor Control at 808-241-4967 or email mkelekoma@kauai.gov for accommodation and aid requests as soon as possible.