Board denies liquor license for Waikiki club
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
A controversial Waikiki nightclub will have to survive without being able to sell alcoholic beverages after losing its liquor license.
Neighbors of Four 78 'Ena, formerly known as Evolution Waikiki, yesterday persuaded the Honolulu Liquor Commission to deny the club's application for a license renewal.
All liquor licenses expire at the end of this month and are renewed outright unless there is a petition to deny the request.
Yesterday, three residents who live next to the nightclub complained about loud music, fights, foul language and drug use. Neighbors said club customers often are out of control and, as proof, the residents pointed to a police report that showed at least 12 assault cases at the club last year.
John Finnigan described Four 78 'Ena as a "cesspool" and a "cancer in a residential area." Finnigan also alluded to the disappearance last year of a club promoter who was last seen in Evolution Waikiki.
Carlos Carrillo, 28, got into a fight with a bouncer at the club over a woman last July. The bouncer said that after the fight, he drove Carrillo to the airport — but Carrillo hasn't been seen since.
Police searched landfills and did extensive testing for evidence at the club. The bouncer was arrested but released without charges.
Ralph Shumway, resident manager of the Waipuna condominium next to Four 78 'Ena, said: "I have seen my elderly residents wait inside of my building for their Sunday church service ride, afraid to go out where hordes of disoriented and weaving youths exit the club."
Club owner Katie Russell said most problems occurred under a company that used to manage the club. But she said she took control of the operations last October and the problems have been reduced.
Russell said she does very little business until after 2 a.m. when she caters to other Waikiki nightclub workers who are getting off from work.
She said she plays dancing music and serves water and "energy drinks" but sells no liquor.
Liquor commissioner Avis Jervis said if most of Russell's business involves sales of nonalcoholic drinks, then she didn't need a liquor license. The panel voted 4-1 to deny the renewal, with commissioner Orlando Soriano voting in the minority.
Russell can appeal the decision to the commission or to the state Circuit Court.
In other action yesterday, the commission voted down a petition to deny a liquor license renewal to a popular Chinatown restaurant. Several people living next to the Indigo Eurasian Cuisine had complained about excessive noise coming from the Nu'uanu Avenue restaurant.
But Downtown Neighborhood Board chairwoman Lynne Matusow testified that Indigo has played a crucial role in the revitalization of Chinatown since the restaurant opened eight years ago.
Many people come to town to eat at the restaurant and to patronize other businesses that have opened since Indigo moved in.
Indigo president David Stewart said measures have been taken to reduce the noise from the restaurant, including installing air conditioners so windows and doors can be closed and putting up curtains and plexiglass to deflect sound. He said there are other sources of noise in the area besides Indigo.
