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The Honolulu Liquor Commission has fined the Waikiki Shell’s vendor $19,500 for 19 liquor violations last year.
Centerplate pleaded no contest to 14 counts of allowing people to possess or share illegal drugs on its premises, five counts of allowing minors to drink alcohol in the venue, and one filing violation. The drug and liquor violations happened during the Kokua Festival and the Mayjah Rayjah last April, the Jammin’ Hawaiians May Day Mele, and the KCCN FM100 Birthday Bash in July.
The commission voted unanimously March 31 to suspend half of the fines — $9,750 — as long as the vendor doesn’t have similar violations for one year.
Centerplate, the vendor for Waikiki Shell, Aloha Stadium and the Neal S. Blaisdell Center, is also the focus of a bill moving through the Legislature to dismiss the violation of a minor drinking on the premises as long as the large-venue licensee has a security plan approved by the liquor commission.
"Whether it’s underage drinking by an adult that gives a kid a beer or someone in the restrooms at the edge of the Shell smoking a joint, they are, according to the current rules, liable for everything," said Rep. K. Mark Takai (D, Newtown-Waimalu), who introduced House Bill 1221. "I think that’s too broad a stroke."
