Molokai liquor citations
hit 4 businesses
WAILUKU >> Maui County liquor control inspectors cited 50 percent of the businesses approached in an undercover sting on Molokai for selling liquor to minors.
County liquor control director Frank Silva said Tuesday that of the eight businesses approached, three retail stores and a restaurant were cited for selling to an underage person.
Silva said a person under age 21 and trained as an informant was used in the operation that took place in one day a couple of weeks ago.
There are 11 retail businesses and restaurants on Molokai licensed to sell liquor, he said.
Silva said the prosecutor's office will decide whether to bring charges against the four businesses.
Under state law a seller convicted of promoting intoxicating liquor to an underage drinker could face a maximum of a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
An establishment selling liquor also faces a minimum penalty of $1,000 for the first offense, a $2,000 fine for the second offense, a 30-day license suspension for the third offense and automatic revocation of a license on the fourth offense.
Silva said a liquor license could be revoked on a first offense if inspectors could prove the sales to minors were done on purpose.