Proposal: Granting Off-Premise Privileges to On-Premise Licensees in the State of Hawaii

The 2020 Covid-19 pandemic has severely hurt Hawaii’s food and beverage industry, an industry that’s been deemed essential. Many bars and restaurants have laid off employees, or have shut down. However, with minor adjustments to a food and beverage establishments’ business model, the number of bankruptcy filings caused by these temporary closures can be minimized. 

Hawaii Beverage Guide has been working with Hawaii Restaurant Association (HRA), Young's Market Company of Hawaii and Cherry Co to help address the issue.  So far the following letter has been sent by HRA to Governor Ige as well as various State of Hawaii Representatives and Senators.

Letter Sent to Governor Ige

How to Help

To help, please email the governor at: https://governor.hawaii.gov/contact-us/contact-the-governor/
Then:

• Fill in: Name, Address, Email Address, Location 
• Under Message, choose "Add Suggestion"
• Under Message, Copy and Paste or Download the following, then add your name:​

Status Updates

• 4/5/2020 A copy of the letter along with the proposed language which would grant off-premise privileges to on-premise licensees.   Currently, the letter has been sent to State Senators and State Representatives along with the Governor. 

• 4/2/2020:  Hugh Duncan contacted Don Pacarro of Honolulu Liquor Commission about the issue.  
  • Pacaro believes, “in [Honolulu Liquor Commission] humble opinion, only the Governor has the authority to waive a statute through executive order or proclamation.” 
  • Pacaro contacted Cindy McMillan, the Governor’s Communication’s Director on Behalf of Hawaii, Kauai and Honolulu County and asked him to issue an executive order or proclamation to allow sale of liquor with the take out of food. However the Governor’s office has not returned his emails. He also sent other emails to the Governor’s assistant who assured him his emails would go up the chain of command. 
    
    
• 3/27/2020:  Hawaii Restaurant Association presented recommendations to the Governor.  HRA was under the impression the Governor is in agreement with granting the off-premise privileges. ​