WILLIAM HUDDY LUCAS / 1911-2004
Liquor administrator
guided city through
morality shiftsMore obituaries
When William Huddy Lucas joined the Honolulu Liquor Commission staff in 1941, bottled liquor could not be sold on Sundays, and a woman would not enter a bar unless accompanied by a man.
When Lucas retired in 1976 after 27 years as administrator of the city office that controls the alcohol industry, he had only just persuaded state legislators to change the last of the "blue" laws to permit liquor sales on election days. The sexual conduct of female employees in bars had grown to one of the major issues for the office that grants liquor licenses and enforces rules.
"He was a large part of the history of the commission, and he talked about how the changing industry reflects the moral attitude of the community," said current Administrator Wally Weatherwax, who conducted a video interview with Lucas for the office archives.
Lucas, 92, died Sunday at his Waimanalo home.
A scrapbook that Lucas left in the office provides a history of the changes in controls and attitudes about the liquor industry. "Blue law" restrictions reflected the national Prohibition, which was repealed in 1933. Martial law was in effect during World War II, with liquor ration cards and a curfew that closed bars before dark. A 1955 story tells of a club in jeopardy of losing its license because an entertainer stripped down to panties and bra.
Lucas lobbied for changes in the liquor laws such as ending government price-setting, but he favored government controls on the business. "I don't think there is any doubt that the liquor industry needs special regulating because of the nature of the product," he told the Star-Bulletin in a 1976 interview. "It is a product which is behind one of our nation's major health problems (alcoholism)."
"He was a man of great integrity, by the book," said chief liquor investigator John Carroll, who worked with Lucas. "He was very knowledgeable and well respected by people in the industry. And he was a nice human being. We learned a lot from him. I don't recall him every raising his voice."
Carroll said Lucas continued his interest for years after retiring, returning to the office to collect data for the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and attending annual statewide conventions. Lucas belonged to the National Conference of State Liquor Commissions and, when he was elected president in 1961, brought the national convention to Hawaii.
"Dad had high moral standards, and that's what he wanted for us," said daughter Miliaulani Landgraf. "He expected it from his staff. He had kolohe people working for him, and he made them toe the line." She recalled her father returning a Christmas gift of fruit because the neighbor who gave it happened to hold a liquor license. "He insisted on paying his way everywhere."
Despite frail health in recent years, Lucas never wanted to miss a party invitation and enjoyed time spent at the Outrigger Canoe Club, Landgraf said. He and his wife lived in Waimanalo, where he was a founder of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church and Waimanalo Lions Club.
"He was a good storyteller," she said. "He was famous for his one-liners and laughed hardest at his own jokes. It was his wonderful sense of humor that sustained us during his illness."
Lucas is survived by wife Frances T., sons Huddy T. and Emery R., daughters Landgraf and Wilma Putt, sister Mabel L. Davis, 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Andrew's Cathedral. Friends may call after 9 a.m. Inurnment will be at noon in Oahu Cemetery. The family requests aloha attire. Ultimate Cremation handled arrangements.