A local nonprofit is seeking a special liquor license for Queen’s Beach in Waikiki to speed up possible approval for a National Football League event slated for Jan. 29-30.

Drinking is not allowed at city parks and beaches, but Department of Parks and Recreation Director Michele Nekota is considering new rules that would allow alcohol to be served at private events four times a year in a tented section between the Kapahulu Groin and the Waikiki Aquarium.

Kawika Freitas, head of the Hawaii Beach Volleyball Association, which uses Queen’s Beach, also known as Queen’s Surf, for tournaments and training, said he met with officials of Events International, a Honolulu- based organization working with the NFL to present its “Pro Bowl Stadium” event.

If the special license is sought by a nonprofit, the Honolulu Liquor Commission staff can make the decision administratively, said Franklin “Don” Pacarro, commission administrator. If the request is made by a for-profit entity, it must be approved by the commission, which typically takes longer, he said.

But Pacarro said he won’t consider a license request until the parks department gives the go-ahead for alcohol at Queen’s Beach.

The proposed new rules have drawn strong objections from the Kapiolani Park Preservation Society, the Free Access Coalition, the Oahu Island Parks Conservancy and others who question the setting aside of part of a public beach for a banned activity.

The Pro Bowl Stadium event is free and expected to draw 10,000 people a day.

Freitas said he agreed to cooperate out of concern for the venue.

“Queen’s Beach is the only place for beach volleyball, so HBVA, as an organization, we are highly involved at the beach,” Freitas said. “No matter what events come out there, we always try to be a part of it just to make sure the beach area gets taken care of. We were able to partner with the NFL to do this.”

Freitas testified in favor of the rule changes at a public hearing earlier this month. Others who have held large-scale events at the beach have not cleaned up after themselves, he said. “The beach is trashed, the (city) doesn’t clean it up … and then it’s left to me.”

His association is not getting paid, beyond the cost of the license, but will be allowed to set up a free youth volleyball clinic and a pro-level exhibition match as part of the event, Freitas said. More important, he said, he received assurances from event organizers that they will clean the beach grounds to his association’s satisfaction.

“Of course, the NFL is planning to give out a lot of money to a lot of nonprofits — maybe I get lucky and become one of those nonprofits,” Freitas said. “But I’m doing this more to be part of the event and to make sure the beach gets taken care of.”

Neither the NFL nor Events International CEO Rick Schneider responded to an email seeking comment.

To hold the event on the beach, organizers must obtain a facility use permit from the city Department of Planning and Permitting.

Freitas said he had not sought a permit and did not know whether others had done so. “The NFL could be pulling it itself,” he said, noting that he typically requests a permit six months in advance.

An NFL spokesman told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser previously that the league intends to hold the beach party, regardless of whether it gets an OK for a private, cordoned-off alcohol tent.

Michelle Matson, president of the Oahu Island Parks Conservancy, said her group is appalled by the idea of liquor being allowed at Queen’s Beach and warns that it will set a bad precedent.

City officials said they are considering the proposed rule changes on behalf of various organizations, including the NFL. The proposal, as written, specifies Queen’s Beach as the only facility where liquor could be served four times a year. But critics have pointed out that language easily could be added to include other parks and beaches.