The Honolulu Liquor Commission has denied a liquor license application from 7-Eleven Stores that had widespread community opposition because of the store's proximity to youth activities at Waimanalo Beach Park. Commissioner breaks tie; no
liquor at Waimanalo 7-ElevenAbout 30 residents of the Windward community, who packed the commission hearing yesterday holding signs, applauded when the 3-2 vote was taken. Later they joined hands for a thanksgiving prayer outside the office.
"I feel honored to give a response to these people," said Commissioner Orlando Soriano who voted against the license. "I'll be the first to say we should deny this application."
The five-member commission had been deadlocked 2-2 in two previous votes because Soriano abstained from voting. If the deadlock had continued, the license would have automatically been granted under a new state law.
Soriano said he had more than 50 telephone calls from Waimanalo residents who cranked up their opposition this week with a special meeting of the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board and a demonstration outside the store yesterday.
He said his vote reflects his "concern about public safety, especially for the children." Soriano said he had abstained because "I was confused" about application of two new laws which the commission had never faced, and because he had missed the preliminary hearing on the application.
"It's not necessary to have two stores in a small town," said Commissioner Chu Lan Kwock. She urged Seven-Eleven Hawaii Inc. to withdraw its application, citing another 7-Eleven store with a liquor license two miles away. "They have their market share," she said after the meeting.
Company spokesman Jim Boersma said: "We're disappointed. We appreciate the sincerity of the opponents to the license. We intend to remain in the community and provide jobs, a conscientious corporate community member."
A 1996 change in the liquor law will make it difficult for the store to re-apply for a license. Previously, businesses could return one year after a denial. Now they must show that something has changed since they were denied a license.
Soriano took an indirect scolding from fellow Commissioner Avis Jervis for withholding his vote earlier. "Because we are accountable to our communities, they should rely on us to cast that one vote we do have," said Jervis, without mentioning names. "As liquor commissioners we are the eyes and ears of our communities and we are accountable.
"A liquor license which impacts the lives of our neighbors, our families and friends and especially our keiki, should never be granted by default," Jervis said.
The law providing for a permit by default was passed by the Legislature this year.
Teen-ager will be tried as adult in murder case
A teen-ager was charged yesterday with second-degree murder after Family Court waived jurisdiction over the youth.Pierre Taifai, 18, will be tried as an adult for the Aug. 1 stabbing death of Alton Anderson, 23, at Neal Blaisdell Park in Pearl City.
Taifai is being held at the Oahu Community Correctional Center in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Two other youths, also charged with murder in the Anderson case, were not bound over by Family Court and will be tried as juveniles.
Box jellyfish expected at beaches next week
Look for an onslaught of box jellyfish Monday through Friday of next week.The city Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division predicts very few Monday, but a substantial influx Tuesday and Wednesday.
The intruders are expected to leave Thursday and be of negligible significance Friday, the city said.
Shorelines most commonly affected are Waikiki, Ala Moana, Hanauma Bay and Pokai Bay.
Rosie O'Donnell Show will have Hawaii angle
Judy Molnar, a Michigan marketing executive, will appear Monday on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" to talk about her participation next month in the Ironman Triathlon on the Big Island.Molnar two years ago weighed 300 pounds but through training and diet has lost half of her body weight.
Molnar will tell O'Donnell about all "the little steps" and personal motivations she took for her physical transformation.
Moved by Molnar's perseverance and determination, O'Donnell also has invited Molnar to return to the show in early October to talk about the competition.
During Monday's show Molnar will draw a number from a lottery bin and award an audience member a free trip to Hawaii for two.
O'Donnell also plans to send a film crew to the Big Island to videotape Molnar's Ironman competition.
Monday's Rosie O'Donnell Show will be broadcast on KHNL News8 at 4 p.m.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staff2-year-old girl may be victim of sex assault
Police are investigating a rape complaint involving a 2-year-old girl who may have been assaulted yesterday at a day-care center in Makiki. The girl's mother told police the child complained of pain in the genital area last night and said a man had touched her.
Motorcyclist killed in crash is identified
The medical examiner's office has identified the motorcyclist killed a collision yesterday on 10th Avenue as 20-year-old Evin Lim.A 21-year-old man Lim was packing on his Ninja and the 54-year-old driver of the station wagon the motorcycle broadsided remain in critical condition in Queen's Hospital.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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