Dream Cruises to appeal
loss of liquor licenses

By Mary Adamski
Star-Bulletin

The Honolulu Liquor Commission has affirmed its decision to take the booze out of all ocean tours operated by Dream Cruises of Kewalo Basin.

Charges that alcohol was sold to underage people aboard one boat, American Dream, led the commission to revoke the company's liquor licenses for that and a second vessel, Rainbow I.

Commissioners yesterday rejected a request from Deputy Corporation Counsel Tony Chang to rescind their action against the second vessel.

Commission office Administrator Wally Weatherwax had requested that they then vote separately on the license for the second boat.

"This is fancy footwork," commented commission Chairman John Spierling. He and Commissioners Chu Lan Kwock and Clyde Eugenio voted to reject Chang's request and let the Aug. 23 action stand.

"The commission looks very unfavorably about serving alcohol on the water. This was not an ordinary group of minors, this was 10 times more serious," Spierling said.

Charles Brower, attorney for Dream Cruises, said several steps in an appeal of the decision are ahead, including a request for reconsideration. He said a state judge could halt implementation of the revocation order while the appeal progresses.