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Decision on liquor license
By Christine Donnelly
deferred until Feb. 24
Star-Bulletin
What some neighborhood residents complain is one karaoke bar too many still awaits a decision from the Honolulu Liquor Commission on whether it should get a permanent liquor license.
The commission first took up Dongbaek Restaurant and Karaoke's application at its Feb. 10 meeting, continued the matter until last night to get more public input, and then voted to continue it again until Feb. 24, when a final decision is expected.
Several area residents complained that Dongbaek, at 1303 Rycroft St. in the Keeaumoku area, has increased traffic, noise, light pollution, crime and traffic accidents in the area, and reduced the amount of street parking for residents. The restaurant/bar is open until 2 a.m. and has been operating under a temporary liquor license since September 1999.
But Wayne Luke, lawyer for Dongbaek owner Soo Hong Lee, told the commission that Lee has met with neighbors and tried to alleviate their concerns. The business has received no citations or warnings and there have been only a few noise complaints, mainly from one resident, Luke said. As for increased crime and traffic accidents, Luke said the statistics cited by one testifier included a larger area, not just the streets around Dongbaek, which is at Rycroft and Cedar streets.
At the heart of the issue is the proliferation of bars and nightclubs in a neighborhood that although now zoned for commercial use once had a much more residential feel.
"We're talking about shrinking neighborhoods. We're trying to preserve what's left ... so at least there's some dignity left in the neighborhood," said Dyane Sih, who was born and raised in the neighborhood, then left to live on the mainland and returned in 1996 to live with her elderly parents.
Her 83-year-old father has lived his entire life in the same Rycroft Street house and bemoans how the neighborhood has changed, she said, but like many of the elderly residents in the neighborhood, fears there is nothing he can do about it.
"I'm hoping there is," said Sih, who opposes the license.
At lease three of the five commissioners must vote "yes" for a liquor license to be approved.
