LIHUE — Mayor Bernard Carvalho’s veto of Bill 2635 to allow alcohol sales on Wailua Golf Course via roving concessions is on the agenda for Thursday’s Kauai County Council meeting.
Carvalho submitted his veto on Dec. 28 and it was received by the Office of the County Clerk the next day. Because it is vetoed, the bill has not completed the legislative process and cannot go into effect.
“Allowing consumption of alcohol on the course would, in my opinion, require an increase in county oversight and enforcement throughout the golf course to ensure that golfers are of legal age to consume alcohol responsibly,” the mayor wrote.
He said the costs to the county outweigh any possible benefits.
“I remain committed to working with the council and our golf course concessionaires to identify opportunities for the county to promote the golf course’s long-term success,” he said.
The bill was passed 6-1 by the council on Dec. 14.
The council has 30 days to decide if they want to sustain or override the mayor’s veto. Five votes are needed to pass an ordinance to override it. If it fails, the bill will be deemed void and the veto sustained, according to the Kauai County Charter.
Councilman Arthur Brun said he is holding out until Wednesday’s meeting before deciding on how he wants to move forward with the bill.
Other councilmembers could not be reached for comment on Friday.
On Thursday, the council will “lay the veto on the table,” a procedural action that will allow the vetoed bill to be put on future agendas for discussion.
The council will not be voting to take action on the mayor’s veto Wednesday, and meetings to override or sustain the veto will be scheduled at a later date.
When Bill 2635 was introduced, one of its intentions was to help the concessionaire, Over Par Bar and Grill, increase its profits. As it stands, golfers can have a drink at the restaurant, but not on the course.
But because some golfers bring their own alcohol on the course already, Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura said in previous meetings that it provides a way to better regulate it.
The concessionaire at Wailua Golf Course keeps all profits generated from sales and doesn’t have to share it with the county, said Lenny Rapozo, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Also on Thursday, the council is expected to pass Bill No. 2634, which will allow multiple family dwelling units in residential zones. They will also discuss a resolution that seeks to approve the Lima Ola Workforce Housing Project, which will provide up to 550 affordable units in Eleele.
The council meets 8:30 a.m. at the Historic County Building.
