Apply for a Liquor License | Honolulu Liquor Commission

Licenses

To receive liquor for personal consumption, including Military relocation to Oahu, see Permits section below.
The Honolulu Liquor Commission processes and issues all Liquor licenses and permits (manufacturing, dispensing, retailing, wholesaling, shipping, storing, etc.) for the City and County of Honolulu. Our staff provides information and forms necessary to procure licenses and permits in compliance with Federal, State, and local rules and regulations.

Liquor License Classification, Kind, and Category

CLASSIFICATION:

Currently, there are different classifications of liquor licenses that are available: Manufacturer, Restaurant, Wholesale, Retail, Dispenser, Club, Transient Vessel, Tour/Cruise Vessel, Special, Cabaret, Hotel, Caterer, Brewpub, Condominium/Hotel, Winery, Bring Your Own Beverage (BYOB) (proposed), and Small Craft Producer Pub.
General Guide for Liquor Licenses.

KIND:

In addition to a specific class of license, a particular “KIND” of liquor or alcohol sold and/or served would need to be defined. The “kinds” of liquor are: General (includes all liquor, excluding alcohol), Beer and Wine, Beer, Wine, Liquor, and Alcohol (non-consumable).

CATEGORY:

For Restaurant, Dispenser, and Cabaret classifications, a category for define what type of activities that may be provided at the premises by the licensee: standard bar, music, and/or dancing (clothed or unclothed). In addition, only for a Dispenser class license, a hostess category is available

For more information about these types of licenses, please refer to the Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 281, Part III. License and Permits, General Provisions. Click here for a list of Liquor License Annual Fees. Additional conditions may be placed on a license as approved by the Commissioners. To apply for a new Liquor License, you must complete the appropriate application form and provide the supporting documentation. Application packets are now available on-line.

Forms/Documents:

Application packets are also available for pick up at our office (711 Kapiolani Blvd, Ste. 600) during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 7:45am to 4:30pm, except for State and Federal holidays).

The Licensing process is as follows:

Submission of application
Review of application and proposed licensed premise
Investigative Process and Compliance
Preliminary Hearing
Public Hearing
Conditions of Licensing
Issuance of License

MODIFICATIONS TO AN EXISTING LICENSE:

Throughout the life of a liquor licensed premises, there may come a time where the premises may need to be extended, change the existing classification of license to meet the needs of the customer, transferring of stock holdings, addition (or deletion) of an officer or member of a business entity, trade name (DBA) name change, address change, etc. Modifications to an existing approved license will need to be approved by the Liquor Control Administrator (or designee) and the Liquor Commission.