Rip-roaringly fun as they are, it had never really occurred to me that members of the public would want to attend LC meetings unless they had some immediate stake in one of the cases being heard. In fact, that’s kind of the impetus behind this column: we go so you don’t have to.
But of course there’s no substitute for firsthand experience. Plus, the more eyes that are pointed at those folks the better. Put it this way: if they could, I imagine the LC would bar the public before you can say “artificial public hair.” (For those new to this column…oh, never mind. It’d take too long to explain. Just go search the archives at mauitime.com.)
I bring all this up because I’ve received a couple e-mails recently from actual citizens asking how, when and where they can attend the LC’s intimate get-togethers.
For anyone else out there with the same burning question, here are the basics.
The Department of Liquor Control has two arms: the Liquor Commission, which grants, renews and denies applications for liquor licenses and adopts rules; and the Adjudication Board, which considers alleged violations of the rules and metes out punishment.
Generally, both the Commission and the Adjudication Board meet once a month, though months are skipped with some frequency. Meetings take place in the David K. Trask office building in Wailuku. More info can be found on the county Web site (co.maui.hi.us). Click on “departments” and select “Liquor Control.”
Some of the meetings are quick and breezy; others are butt-numbingly long. Most contain at least one juicy nugget or quotable quote, though often you’ve got to slog through a lot of legalese.
And no, unfortunately, drinking is not allowed.
– Jacob Shafer
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