A group of concerned citizens filled the Honolulu Liquor Commission hearing room to capacity Thursday in their quest to stop a liquor application for the Denny’s under construction at 2538 Kuhio Ave.

The 5,000-square-foot Denny’s, which sits on land owned by former First Hawaiian Bank CEO Don Horner, is expected to open by spring. A number of nearby residents, who wore red to show their opposition, told the commission that they don’t want alcohol served. Their main concern is the project’s close proximity to Jefferson Elementary School, which they estimate is just 66 feet from Denny’s on its playground side. Some also expressed concern that cheap alcohol sales might augment neighborhood challenges with crime and loitering.

Denny’s franchise owner Medhat A. Bechay limited his application to inside beer and wine sales from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m and offered to supply a security plan and keep a bar out of the restaurant. While some nearby residents and businesses said they supported these changes, the commission continued a decision on the application to 4 p.m. Feb. 11 at 711 Kapiolani Blvd.

“The commission is requesting you to supply a detailed security plan in writing,” said Narsi Gana­ban, Liquor Commission co-vice chair. “The public hearing will be kept open.”

The continuance was the second for Bechay, whose original application for a 6 a.m.-to-2 a.m. liquor license drew a swarm of protest last week.

Bechay, who owns 16 other Denny’s, including two others in Hawaii, said he’s focused on providing a “family restaurant” and has been communicating with neighbors to appease concerns.

“We have a security plan, and we’ll bring it to the next meeting,” he said.

Bechay said he serves alcohol at several Denny’s outside of Hawaii and said alcohol sales typically supply only about 1 to 2 percent of these businesses.

Bechay’s changes were good enough for Waikiki resident Kathryn Henski, who lives within 30 feet of the project and was originally opposed to the application. Henski said she is satisfied that Bechay will work to mitigate neighborhood impacts.

Waikiki resident Amy Ammen said she would support Denny’s getting a liquor license regardless of the hours. Ammen said Denny’s appeals to more of a family demographic than a bar crowd and that some families, including hers, enjoy alcohol with their meals.

But Bechay’s concessions didn’t satisfy Waikiki resident Donna Lynch, who is opposed to a liquor license for Denny’s regardless of the hours.

“We have to value our children more than alcohol,” Lynch said.

Waikiki resident Lana Kramarenko, whose children attend the nearby school, said she’s opposed to any alcohol sales at Denny’s because of their potential to affect safety while increasing crime and noise.

“Safety first. Kids are our future,” she said.

Waikiki resident Rachel Linden expressed disappointment that the commission did not deny the application on the grounds that it was incomplete. But she said she and others will continue striving to reach the opposition threshold, nearly 400 qualifying signatures, needed for a statutory denial.

So far, the group has collected 135 petition signatures at ipetitions.com/petition/noliquor4dennys, Linden said.

The group also visited the Waikiki Neighborhood Board on Tuesday to bolster support, she said. The board, which previously supported the project, did not take new action. But the campaign garnered praise from a couple of board members and audience applause.

Lynch said the opposition group also has some signatures from canvassing the neighborhood and will work on getting more.

“We won’t stop until we win,” she said.