Sand Island's oasis fined for its music
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
The La Mariana Sailing Club has been a sanctuary for residents and visitors looking for a restaurant and bar that reflected the old Hawai'i, where tikis and glass balls filled the room, along with music and good times.
Advertiser library photo • April 30, 2003
For nearly 50 years, the old-time Waikiki- style establishment has filled that need. La Mariana is tucked away off a side road along Sand Island Access Road and the restaurant is a repository for items from former favorite watering holes like the Kon Tiki Room, Trader Vic's, South Seas restaurant and the Tahitian Lanai.
Lance Kanaka was among pianists who provided live entertainment for patrons of La Mariana Sailing Club on Sand Island Access Road.
In addition to its decor, one of the draws to La Mariana is the piano music and sing-alongs. Every night but Monday, one of three blind pianists takes center stage and is joined by unabashed patrons looking to unwind.
But the club was in violation of its liquor license, which did not allow live or recorded music. The violation had gone unnoticed by the Honolulu Liquor Commission until a private event was held at the club in April.
The party, "Tiki Lounge Five-0," featured longtime local entertainer Martin Denny and charged patrons an admission fee. On the night of the event, Liquor Commission inspectors showed up, checked owner Annette Nahinu's liquor license, and issued a citation.
The restaurant was cited for the April event, but could have just as well been fined for the piano sing-alongs.
Yesterday, Nahinu pleaded no contest to the violation and was fined $250. The 88-year-old Nahinu said she was shocked at the fine and expected a good scolding at the most.
"I didn't think it was fair, do you? Because I didn't know that this was the wrong thing to do," Nahinu said.
She said the event organizer approached her with the idea and the restaurant's manager said it was OK. But she found out that not only was the event illegal, but so were her piano players.
The three pianists include Ron Miyashiro, who lost a place to play when the Tahitian Lanai shut its doors in 1996.
"He needed a home," Nahinu said. "This lady came to me and said, 'Annette, I have this wonderful player and these singers that need a place.' And I said, 'Bring them here and we'll see what they're like,' and they came and they were very popular. People loved them."
Since the violation, Nahinu has obtained a temporary permit to allow the piano music, singing and dancing. She pleaded with the commission yesterday to waive the fine.
"I have worked very, very hard. Since 1992, I have not drawn one penny from that place," she told the panel. "I've put everything in it. I work very hard and it's rough to have to pay a fine. It's rough, believe me."
The commissioners declined comment. Deputy Corporation Counsel Debi Tulang-DeSilva said her $250 recommendation was standard, but the commission had the discretion to reduce the amount or issue a letter of reprimand.
