By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Staff Writer

Q. Are there any laws restricting people under 21 from entering a bar? There have been times over the years where I have seen young children in drinking establishments.

A. It depends on which island you're on.

On O'ahu, strip clubs are the only liquor establishments where people under 21 are legally banned, according to John Carroll, chief investigator for the Honolulu Liquor Commission. They are allowed in all other liquor-serving establishments, at the discretion of the bar owner.

No one under 21 can drink at a bar, of course.

On the Big Island, people under 21 can enter a bar that serves full meals, but not those that serve only pupu.

In hostess bars that serve meals, people under 21 cannot enter after hostess service begins. No one under 21 is allowed in a bar that serves no food; at no time are minors allowed in the bar's lounge or counter areas.

In Maui County, people under 21 cannot enter a hostess bar. Otherwise, minors can enter bars that can prove that 30 percent of their gross sales come from food.

In Kaua'i County, people who are 18, 19 or 20 years old can be in a standard, no-food bar. Anyone under 21 can be in a bar that serves food, provided that the establishment garners 15 percent or more of its gross sales from food or other nonalcoholic items.

Minors are not allowed in any bars after midnight, although exceptions can be granted for special events such as concerts or other shows.

Q. What is the status of the sewer reconstruction project on Kalaheo Avenue in Kailua? It looks like work has stopped, and there are rumors that it is because of a dispute between the winning bidder and a second bidder.

A. The sewer line replacement is proceeding, city spokeswoman Carol Costa said. There was a bid protest some time ago, she said, but it has been resolved.

Costa checked with city Design and Construction Director Tim Steinberger, who explained why it might appear that the project has been halted. "What's happening now is that after the Kalaheo contractor was given a notice to proceed, new rules went into effect regarding storm water runoff for construction sites," Costa said via e-mail.

That means the contractor has had to apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit from the Department of Health. The permit should take another week or so, and meanwhile the contractor is doing soil exploration work and utilities relocations that are required as part of the project, she said.

For more information about the project, visit www.kalaheosewer.com.

Do you ever get frustrated or confused trying to navigate the various layers of government? Are you looking for an answer to a simple question but can't figure out where to start? If you have a question or a problem and need help getting to the right person, you can reach The Bureaucracy Buster one of three ways:

• e-mail: buster@honoluluadvertiser.com

• Phone: 535-2454 and leave a message.

Be sure to give us your name and daytime telephone number.