Posted on: Thursday, June 28, 2001
Ke'eaumoku hostess bar may lose liquor license
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
A Ke'eaumoku Street hostess bar faces thousands of dollars in fines and the possible revocation of its liquor license after being charged with 20 violations of state liquor laws.
Golden Dolls Showgirls at 939 Ke'eaumoku Street is accused of violations ranging from technical time-card matters to more serious charges of allowing a minor to be present where exotic dancers are performing. The club will answer to the charges at 4 p.m. today before the Honolulu Liquor Commission.
The charges stem from a police undercover investigation last September. Police said a woman under 21 was allowed to dance nude for customers, a violation of the law.
In other instances, nude dancers performed on customers' tables, another violation.
Fines for each violation range from $250 to $2,000, with the harshest penalty being the revocation of the liquor license, said city Deputy Corporation Counsel Duane Pang. But Pang declined to say what penalty he will seek if the club is found guilty of one or more of the charges.
Attorney Michael Green, who represents Golden Dolls Showgirls, said he will contest all charges. He accused the police department of "setting up" his client.
Green said the undercover officers rented a second-floor room and solicited female employees to "do certain things." He said the alleged illegal activities occurred at a private party and had nothing to do with the bar's operations.
"They rented a room for a party and apparently solicited the girls who were up there. The bar owner, she just took rent for the room. This wasn't something that was going on in the bar," Green said.
But Pang argued that all activity on a licensed premise is governed by liquor laws.
"In terms of private, it was not in the showroom or whatever, but it was on the licensed premise," he said.
Green said he will contest the charges because of the harsh punishment handed down to other establishments by this commission.
Golden Dolls Showgirls, which has been in operation since 1998, is owned by Tony Tran and Yvonne Dang. The establishment is the second hostess bar this year to go before the Liquor Commission to face numerous charges.
Club Yokohama in Kaka'ako is accused of 27 counts of violating state liquor laws. The club was granted an extension last month and will have its case heard July 26.
