LC Adjudication Board meetings usually follow a pretty standard, pretty boring procedure. So when something new is introduced–like a visual aid–everyone perks up.
The final case on the docket at the February 3 meeting was a charge of serving to a minor against Kihei’s South Shore Tiki Lounge. As prosecutor John Tam explained, four people–two of them underage–apparently snuck past the back-entrance bouncer on the evening of July 2, 2010 and managed to get drinks before an LC inspector showed up and demanded to see their IDs.
They didn’t have any, but owner Mikhail Tassi told the board kids often do come with IDs–fake ones. He estimated that his staff confiscates at least four or five fakes every weekend, sometimes more. To prove it, he brought in a stack, which was passed around the room and under the inquisitive squints of boardmembers and department officials (a few whipped out their wallets for a comparison).
It’s impossible to say for sure, but it’s entirely possible that the Tiki Lounge’s efforts have prevented more underage drinking than the entire LC minor decoy program. And they’re just one bar; others–including Casanova in Makawao–have previously presented confiscated IDs to the LC and the cops. They always nod approvingly, but do little else.
Except, in this case, slap the Tiki Lounge with a $2,000 fine.
Dance bill update: We’ve previously told you about two bills (HB1339 and SB588) that would force county liquor commissions in Hawaii to define and amend rules regarding dancing. It’s the latest effort by Maui Dance Advocates, a scrappy little group that’s previously been rebuffed by the Liquor Commission, the courts and, last year, the legislature.
The current House version cleared its first committee hurdle this week, but it’s still far from the finish line. For more info–or to help out if you’re so inclined–visit mauidanceadvocates.com.
Comments
comments