Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2934 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to expand the definition of "special liquor district" to include areas designated for historic preservation and residential protection, and to add possible adverse effects on the community as part of the report of the liquor inspector required for every application for a license.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Hawaii Council of Associations of Apartment Owners, Waikiki Citizen's Patrol, Waikiki Neighborhood Board, Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board, and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that while communities often welcome businesses as neighbors because they provide goods and services for the community, this is not the case for bars, nightclubs, and other liquor serving and dispensing establishments. Your Committee heard of numerous incidents of crime, property damage, and disturbances in neighborhoods near establishments that sell or serve liquor. These create a climate of fear, particularly for the elderly living in such areas, as well as a loss of property values.

Your Committee is supportive of this measure as a means to help address these issues.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2934 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.