The Department of Liquor Control provides the administrative services for the Liquor Control Commission. It investigates all applications for liquor licenses and provides data to enable the Commission to properly execute its duties. The Department has police powers to enforce the liquor laws, and inspects all liquor licensed premises to ensure compliance with the State liquor laws and the Commission’s rules and regulations. It investigates all alleged violations and complaints, and reports all violations to the Commission.
The department, upon request, provides instructions on the State liquor laws and the Commission rules and regulations to the Police Department, bartenders, waitresses, and employees in liquor licensed premises.
Manager's Assistant Manager's Blue/Red Card Test Information
Starting from November 7, 2023, Red and Blue Card testing will return to IN-PERSON. The test will be held every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. However, the space is limited, so please book your slot in advance.
The Liquor Department will be collecting a fee of $10 for the Red/Blue Card Exam and $10 for the issuance of the Red/Blue Card. The fee is to comply with Rule 7.8(b)-(c) and Rule 10.2 (c)-(d) of the Rules and Regulations of the Liquor Control Commission.
Currently, Red and Blue card testing are done every Tuesdays (8:30am & 1:30pm) ONLINE ONLY via Microsoft Teams using your smartphone, tablet, or computer on Tuesday's and by appointment only (space is limited).
To schedule an appointment for the ONLINE or IN-PERSON testing please click on Schedule An Appointment. You must be 21 years or older to take the exam. You will be required to provide a picture I.D. and pass a written exam in order to obtain a Red or Blue Card. Please contact our office at 808-241-4966 should you have any questions.
Schedule An Appointment
*If a licensee has an unforeseen situation related to having no card holders, please contact our office immediately for guidance.
After successfully registering you will receive an email from our office for further instructions.
As a reminder, as Rule 2.9(b) states: "Every licensee shall ensure that its employees involved with the sale of liquor are familiar with the rules of the commission and liquor laws of Hawai'i. No Training other than the material(s) provided by Department of Liquor Control can be used as a substitute to obtain a Red or Blue Card. Any claim by other organizations offering training which states that upon completion you will be certified to obtain a Red or Blue card is incorrect.
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE: If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, or an interpreter for non-English speaking persons, contact our office at (808) 241-4966 or email liquor@kauai.gov as soon as possible. Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill your request.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE RED/BLUE MANAGERS CARDS CAN BE FOUND IN OUR FAQs SECTION.
Announcements
2023 Customer Satisfaction Survey
The Kauai Department of Liquor Control is seeking feedback from all licensees and the public by conducting an annual Customer Satisfaction Survey. This will be the first time the department is carrying out such a survey, and we believe it will be the best way to engage our licensees and the community in evaluating our performance over the past year and determine the best course of action for our licensees in the future. The survey is voluntary and will be open for submissions from November 16, 2023, to December 30, 2023.
The survey can be accessed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NB62MMD
September, 1, 2023
NOTICE OF PERCENTAGE FEES
The Department of Liquor Control have begun mailing out Notice of Percentage Fees. Licensees are able to view their Notice of Percentage Fees and make payments online at http://kauailiquorpayments.ehawaii.gov/. Due date for Percentage Fee payments will be October 30, 2023.
Thursday, July 27, 2023
REMINDER: GROSS SALES REPORTS DUE BY MONDAY, JULY 31, 2023 BY 4:30 P.M.
Please review Rule 4.7 & 4.8 of the County of Kauai, Rules & Regulations of The Liquor Commission regarding "Gross Sales Report".
Forms can be downloaded on our website under "Forms & Applications". Completed forms can be emailed to liquor@kauai.gov.
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Liquor Department offers free Narcan kits to licensees
The Kaua‘i Department of Liquor Control is offering free Naloxone, also known as Narcan, to all of its liquor licensees.
“We thank the Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division of the Department of the Attorney General for notifying us about this great program and we especially extend our appreciation to the State Department of Health for providing 460 Narcan kits to our department for distribution,” said Director of Liquor Control Leo Sandoval-Reyes. “Distributing Narcan to our licensees will prepare and equip them if a suspected opioid overdose occurs in their establishment, which could potentially save lives.”
Please contact our office at 808-241-4966 for more information.
Thursday, July 6, 2023
We would like to remind all licensees that the due date for the annual gross liquor sales report is July 31st, 2023. We encourage you to submit your reports as early as possible and not wait until the last minute to avoid any potential issues. The report can be submitted online, in-person, by fax, by mail, or email. If you choose to mail it, please ensure that the postmark is no later than July 31st, 2023, to avoid any violations of Kauai Liquor Commission Rule 4.7(a)(1) for Gross Liquor Sales Report, percentage fee, and records. Please review your reports carefully prior to submission, this year, every licensee is required report the total value of all complimentary drinks given away during this reporting period.
MEMO FROM THE DIRECTOR(PDF, 317KB)
Tuesday, July 5, 2023
Memo from the Director - Clarification on applying for a Non-Profit Special License
FREE ONE-DAY TEMPORARY LICENSE(PDF, 222KB)
Monday, July 3, 2023
The Department of Liquor Control is now offering Fake ID training to our local licensees. See memo below from Director of Liquor, Leo Sandoval.
FAKE ID TRAINING MEMO(PDF, 162KB)
Thursday, June 8, 2023
On June 7, 2023, Governor Josh Green signed HB 16 into law related to liquor. HB 16 Authorizes liquor licensees engaged in meal service to sell unopened beer, wine, and prepackaged cocktails with food for pick up, delivery, take out, or other means to be consumed off-premises. Authorizes liquor licensees holding class 4 retail dealer licenses to deliver purchased liquor to a customer's vehicle.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – HB 16 / ACT 065(PDF, 756KB)
Friday, May 12, 2023
2023 Online Liquor Application Renewals
The Department of Liquor Control will begin offering the choice to renew your existing liquor license online beginning May 17th, 2023. Although, you will still be able to renew the traditional mailing method in your application or deliver your renewal application personally. We encourage all our licensees to begin to familiarize themselves with this new online portal. In the future, all application processes will migrate to this online portal giving a more consistent manner of processing all applications more efficiently. To aid all licensees with familiarizing yourselves with this new program. We have also produced a YouTube instructional video, as a guide on our Department Youtube channel by clicking here: ONLINE RENEWAL TUTORIAL VIDEO
Director's Memo(PDF, 221KB)
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Direct Wine Shipper Permit
Effective November 15, 2022, Direct Shipment (Renewal or New) can be submitted online by clicking here.
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Notice of Percentage Fees
Licensees are now able to make payments online by clicking Percentage Fee Payments. Due date for Percentage Fee payments will be October 30, 2022.