Honolulu Liquor Commission

Liquor Laws and Rules

Click on an image below to view the most current WEB version (PDF) of the:
Liquor Laws of Hawaii (HRS Chapter 281), revised January 2023, or
Rules of the Liquor Commission, revised March 2018:

 (1) Liquor Laws of Hawaii – Insert (452KB);

(2) Liquor Laws of Hawaii – Insert 2 (669KB); and
(3) Liquor Laws of Hawaii – Insert 3 (600KB)

 

All licensees of liquor establishments and their employees shall familiarize themselves with the liquor laws (Chapter 281, Hawaii Revised Statutes) and the Rules of the Liquor Commission (City and County of Honolulu).  A current copy of the liquor laws and rules booklet shall be available at all times on the licensed premises and accessible to employees and customers upon request.  (Special, transient vessel per day, and caterer licensees are exempt from this requirement.)

The Liquor Laws of Hawaii and Rules of the Liquor Commission booklets may be purchased at our office for $5.00 or you may also download and print the current complete digital copies of the Liquor Laws and Rules (above), including required inserts (updates). 

(Insert 3) – Upon conclusion of the 2023 Regular Legislative Session one (1) legislative bill was signed into law by the Governor related to HRS 281: 

  •  Act 065:  HB16 HD2 SD1 Relating to Liquor
    • §281-31(u)(2) (Licensees engaged in meal service may sell unopened beer, wine, and prepackaged cocktails with food for pick up, delivery, take out or other means to be consumed off-premises.);
    • §281-39(a)(3) (Curbside delivery by class 4 retail dealer license.) 

(Insert 2) – Upon conclusion of the 32nd Legislative Session three (3) legislative bills were signed into law by the Governor, related to HRS 281: 

  • Act 076:  HB137 HD1 SD2 CD1 Relating to Liquor
    • §281-17 (Referring violations to Chapter 244D (Liquor Tax Law) to Hawaii Department of Taxation.);
    • §281-20 (All violations and enforcement related to Chapter 244D referred to the Hawaii Department of Taxation.);
    • §281-53 (Require applications for liquor licenses to be notarized, rather than verified by oath.);
      §281-56 (Repeal requirement that investigative reports to the county liquor commissions include whether an applicant is a fit and proper person for licensure and any and all matters that are relevant to the application or license in the judgement of the investigator.); and
    • §281-79 (Remove entry for examination, obstructing liquor commission operations, and penalty related to Chapter 244D and refer to Hawaii Department of Taxation)

Effective 1/1/2023

  • Act 045:  SB2125 HD1 CD1 Related to Liquor Licenses §281-91 (Increases the maximum allowable fine for violation of liquor control laws by a licensee from $2,000 to $5,000.)

Effective:  6/17/2022

  • Act 089:  SB2382 SD1 HD1 CD1 Related to Cabaret Licenses (Prohibits issuance of cabaret liquor licenses in apartment mixed use subprecinct within a special improvement or special district in whihc the economy is primarily based on tourism.)

Effective:  6/17/2022

(Insert 1) – Upon conclusion of the 31st Legislative Session two legislative bills were signed into law by the Governor, related to HRS 281:

  • Act 066 (21):  HB136 HD1 SD1 Relating to Liquor Licenses §281-41 and -45 (Applies liquor licensing provisions related to the transfer of licenses and denial of licenses to limited liabilities companies.)

Effective: 1/5/2022

  • Act 085 (21):  HB824 HD2 SD2 CD1 Relating to Intoxicating Liquor §281- (Requires any express carrier company, common or contract carrier, except water carriers as defined and regulated by the Surface Transportation Board of the United States, or other person that transports liquor from outside the State for delivery in the State to prepare and file a monthly report with the liquor commission or liquor control adjudication board of each county.)

Effective:  7/1/2021

Mandatory signs for all liquor establishments

Click the images below to download, print, and post these signs:

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