City gives NFL one-time exception to serve alcohol at Waikiki beach event
STAR-ADVERISER / APRIL 2014
The NFL was granted a one-time exception to serve alcohol at a private event at Queen’s Beach in Waikiki.
Honolulu Parks Director Michele Nekota is allowing a one-time exception for the National Football League to serve alcohol at a private, cordoned-off section of Queen’s Beach as part of the league’s Pro Bowl Beach event Friday and Saturday.
Nekota said in a release today, however, that she is rejecting a proposed rule change, sought by beach event organizers including the NFL, that would allow up to four private events to be granted licenses to serve alcohol annually at the Waikiki beach and possibly elsewhere.
Strongly opposed to the proposal were groups and individuals troubled by the idea of alcohol being served in a private, sectioned-off portion of public beach in seeming conflict with a decades-old ordinance barring any alcoholic consumption at city parks and beaches.
“DPR considered and found valid comments on both sides,” Nekota said. “After reviewing all the testimony, DPR has decided not to go forward with the rules as drafted at this time.”
However, Nekota noted that city laws allow for exceptions, like the one requested by the NFL, to be granted. “The department has granted this exception request as long as the NFL receives the proper permit from the Liquor Commission and abides by the rules and conditions of that permit,” she said.
It wasn’t clear from Nekota’s release if a liquor license or permit had been issued as of noon today. Liquor Commission Administrator Franklin Don Pacarro could not immediately be reached for comment.
A partner of the NFL told reporters earlier this month that access to the section serving alcohol would be limited to Pro Bowl sponsors.
The NFL, through the nonprofit Hawaii Beach Volleyball Association, submitted a request for a one-event liquor license for the two days at Queen’s Beach more than a week ago, Pacarro told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser last week. But he said he would not be able to consider such a request until the Parks Department cleared the way for alcohol to be served.
Pacarro said because a nonprofit made the request, approval could be made administratively instead of needing the OK of the commission, which meets every Thursday.
An NFL spokesman earlier told the Star-Advertiser that the league was putting on the larger public beach event at Queen’s Beach, estimated to draw 10,000 people daily, regardless of whether it received approval for the private alcohol-serving portion. The NFL has put out a brochure describing details of the event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
54 responses to “City gives NFL one-time exception to serve alcohol at Waikiki beach event”
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The NFL and Alcohol(Bud/Miller/Hards)walk hand in hand, It would be interesting to see a report of the total number of arrest (DIP DUI or Alcohol related) at games and after games as people drive/walk/stumble there way home or where evers My point is the harm that is done to them selves and others they come in contact with. The few games I have attended were full of drunken stupidity, Yes they say to drink in moderation but come on man, then the game ends and they set them loose on the public
Buck a loose?
sheesh – you gotta live!
people yes, need to be responsible.
but a few drunken idiots shoudln’t spoil other people’s fun… who are responsible.
Now all the NFL has to do is pay off the Liquor Commission members.
Free drinks for the homeless.
Already paid off the Mayor.
That’s a lot of horse’s mare. LOL
Mayor slipped this one past the usual regulations for his buddies (just like he takes care of all his big money donor buddies) by making a “one time” administrative rule change. This is completely on Caldwell. Slimy. Hope nobody gets killed in a DUI crash.
Oh for God’s sake people get a life!! A trillion gallons of booze is consumed on this island and a few hours of booze on the beach is now gonna get people killed??? seriously, complain complain complain protest protest protest…..blah blah blah….who cares? Hawaii locals just love to protest the protests these days….no matter what the topic.
Some people cannot fathom enjoying a great time unless alcohol is involved.
My great time is when we get to watch the drunks fighting over each other. Stay tuned, folks.
Temporary rail tax. One time alcohol exception? New Hawaii where we are doing thongs on a very short term duration.
…doing things. sorry again
Very good!
Big deal. Tourist,locals, everybody drinks on city beaches.Those signs,NO DOGS,NO ALCOHOL,NO HIBATCHI,NO SKATEBOARD,NO DRUGS,NO NUDE BATHING.NO BALLS, NO TENTS, NO RAIL…lol, anyway those signs make good anchor points for your drinky tent.
alright, who paid of who…
Big surprise. Did anyone think the City would not allow this? Wave the dollars in front of elected officials and their appointees and they will do anything.
Dr. Dre says to wave it like you don’t care…
Quick! Everybody wash their cars so that it will rain. LOL
camel’s nose in the tent
Three good comments. There’s way to much drinking at UH events while at a lot of larger colleges there is no drinking at the games.
Should not be allowed.
Bad precedent.
FIRE Everyone on the Council that Voted For this!
The council did not get to vote. It’s the city administration aka Caldwell.
Wrong, wrong, wrong on so many levels. Any bets on who got the free tickets (and perks) to the game?
are they going to be liable for any DUI deaths ? if I get pulled over by HPD and say I just came from the waikiki venue and you cant touch me..that’s going to fly ?
Why is it a crime to go to any beach on Oahu and enjoy a beer? Arrest those that can’t handle and leave the rest of us alone.
The liberal MO has always been to punish the majority for the behavior of a few idiots. It’s called “Control” folks.
You’re saying alcohol or other vice laws are a liberal thing?
If you are talking about the NFL, then the answer is yes, it could be held liable. It’s no different than going to any other place that is allowed to sell alcohol.
ez… Don’t be the rotten apple to spoil it for the rest of us, dude.
Welcome to Hawaii where money talks. PRP buys elections, rich can drink on the beach but poo residents cannot.
Vegan poo is alright, though.
C&C has established a precedent even though they say it’s a one time thing. Very dangerous precedent. Of course, all those city officials invited to the event.
The Mayor is ultimately responsible. He knows he’s only a one term mayor so allowing the commission to grant the permit won’t affect his no next term. Really bad decision!
Caldwell found out the NFL needed a new monkey for the halftime show and now he has the inns.
All different length of monkey, too. Bring your yard stick.
Bad bad decision. Shows that the city and DPR will prostitute themselves for a few bucks. NFL today, who do we court next? Do anything to keep the Pro Bowl here? Nekota should be fired.
What an insult to the good folk that use this section of public beach everyday. Money buys access, huh? The beach is for sale, right? And to top if off, DPR isn’t even charging what the market would bear. That makes locals twice screwed over…
“THE PERMIT” Should require the Sponsors to employ THE HPD “SWAT-TEAM” to control the masses.
Moreover, HPD should position Patrol Vehicles on every street accessing and exiting the areas–Kalakaua Avenue, Monsarat, Ala Wai, Kuhio Avenue–and be prepared to pullover every driver that is suspiciously driving under-the-influence of Alcohol, and bring out all the Breathalyzers too.
If HPD is doing their jobs, then their should be a lot of tickets written and the jails full(great revenue for the City/County and Bail Bondsmen too..). Finally, “NFL SPONSORS” of this “BINGE-EVENT” should be held responsible and liable under the “Dram Act Laws”, in the event of any accidents or injuries–all included…
I’m certain you will see “MADD” there in FULL-FORCE…
Fifty off duty cops should do the trick.
Already unhappy they can section off the beach like this in the first place. That is the exact place I go all the time.
So the NFL gamed the rules by using a non-profit to file for the permit on their behalf instead of doing it themselves? Nothing is free, how much did the NFL “donate” to the Hawaii Beach Volleyball Association? Next thing you’re going to tell us is anyone caught DUI after attending this event will get a pass as well? I suggest the rest of the folks that want to drink alcohol on the beach submit a waiver to the permitting office and see if they even give you the time of day let alone look at your application.
allie donates to the North Dakota bison club.
Allie IS a furry buffalo.
agree
We can count on the homeless waiting for the empty HI5 beer bottles, unless it is in a keg.
Just use red cups like everyone else…..LMFAO
How much kala NFL paying for this special exemption? Is Mayor and his buddies getting any “gifts” for this favor? Hope Mayor is honorable and reports gifts, even if manini, like autographed footballs and jerseys…Da Mayor buggah stay too scared of the BIG NFL bully…… nothing change with this Mayor..just kokua da big boys and they stay friends with him….no mo spine…so sad….
Sellout to and suck up for the rich NFL owners. Let them rent hotel space along the beach if they want to booze it up with a nice view. Caldwell sucks
What a surprize. Wed NFL threatens to move the PRO BOWL to Australia. Thursday they get their permit. Locals go to jail for beer on the beach. Miss the good old days.
“One-time exception” is euphemism for the next permit seeker better come with a big roll of money. In other words “come big or stay home”.
Booze? What a surprise. I thought the NFL was into drugs.
NFL. Not For Long.