A recently renovated and reopened North Shore landmark restaurant owned by local developer and former politician D.G. “Andy” Anderson avoided further constrictions on operating Thursday by obtaining permission to keep serving liquor, following a contentious Honolulu Liquor Commission hearing.
The Haleiwa Beach House restaurant formerly known as Jameson’s by the Sea received commission approval for an unconventional liquor license whereby its liquor will be “catered” by a sister restaurant in Waikiki, Michel’s.
Anderson sought the catering license in part because the Haleiwa restaurant’s existing license tied to Jameson’s is due to expire June 30; the old restaurant’s owner, Ed Greene, had refused to extend his license.
Also, the Liquor Commission deferred a decision earlier this month on granting Anderson a new general restaurant liquor license because the city Department of Planning and Permitting cited Haleiwa Beach House for opening without building permits, while the state Department of Health cited the restaurant for opening without complying with a requirement to install a bigger wastewater system.
Haleiwa Beach House opened in March following a $2.4 million renovation that expanded the restaurant’s seating capacity to 388 from 114. Earlier this month DOH ordered the restaurant to close after determining that the wastewater system was overflowing into a nearby stream and fishpond, although the restaurant reopened after several days when Anderson agreed to limit occupancy to 114 until he installs the bigger wastewater system.
Anderson said the overflow involved treated wastewater and was not a threat to public health.
“Our house is not dangerous,” he told the commission. “If it was I would close it down tomorrow.”
Anderson, who tried three times to become Hawaii’s governor and served 20 years in the state Legislature, said the trouble with the city and state resulted from a personal vendetta against him by North Shore Neighborhood Board member Blake McElheny.
McElheny testified Thursday at the Liquor Commission and argued that the catering license shoudn’t be granted because the underlying issues with the planning and health departments aren’t resolved.
“It appears to be a way to circumvent the commission’s ruling on June 2,” he testified.
Anderson told commissioners that he expected to have all the permitting and wastewater issues resolved before June 30 but that his architect had heart bypass surgery three weeks ago.
Five Haleiwa Beach House employees testified and implored commissioners to approve the workaround so more employees or work hours aren’t cut from the staff of 140.
“I know that Andy is really trying his best,” said Naomi Ramirez.
Pat Richardson, a restaurant customer, criticized McElheny. “Andy worked so hard to put a gem in Haleiwa,” Richardson said. “I’m so disappointed to see this guy right here (McElheny) cause all this pilikila (trouble) for Andy and others.”
The catering license is valid from July 1 to Aug. 29. The commission’s hearing on Anderson’s new liquor license is scheduled to resume Aug. 18.
