Photographer to pay for liquor violations

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

The owner of a photography studio was fined $1,500 for selling liquor without a license and allowing a minor to consume alcohol at his studio.

Hesham Metwally, owner of Hesham Photo Studio, pleaded no contest to the charges Thursday before the Honolulu Liquor Commission. The commission accepted his plea and then fined him $1,000 for permitting a person under 21 to drink and $500 for not having a license.

Metwally asked the four-member panel to reduce the fine, but it refused.

Commission administrator Wallace Weatherwax said his office handles two to three unlicensed cases a year. But he said this one was unusual because it involved someone who is not in the business of serving or selling alcohol.

Metwally told the commission that two promoters asked to use his studio at 186 North King St. for a party for a visiting disc jockey.

The promoters, Metwally said, promised to take all the necessary steps to put on the party, including hiring security. But that didn't happen, he said.

On May 3, about 100 people showed up at his studio. Metwally said they paid a fee to enter the studio but said the drinks were by donation only.

Shortly after 9 p.m., however, police were called because of the noise from the party. Liquor commission inspectors also were notified, and they determined that there was a price list for the drinks and Metwally had no license.

Metwally argued that he had nothing to do with organizing the event, but acknowledged that he was there videotaping the party.