Karaoke Bar Penalized For Violating Emergency Order
Bars in Honolulu have to stop serving liquor at midnight, according to emergency rules aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19.
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The Honolulu Liquor Commission has ordered a karaoke bar on Keeaumoku Street to close for 24 hours, after investigators busted the establishment for serving drinks after midnight.
Mayor Kirk Caldwell ordered bars on Oahu to stop serving liquor at midnight last week, in an effort to crack down on gatherings of people not wearing masks.
But, as Hawaii News Now points out, the state has not reported that any recent clusters of COVID-19 have been linked to bars.
Early Saturday morning, around 12:57 a.m., someone called a 24-hour complaint line to report that Cafe Gangnam on Keeaumoku Street had locked its doors but was still serving customers. When investigators with the Honolulu Liquor Commission arrived at Gangnam they could hear people singing inside, according to a press release from the mayor’s office.
Investigators looked through the door and could see people inside not wearing masks or social distancing, according to the release.
The commission cited the bar for violating the mayor’s emergency order, and ordered the cafe to close for 24 hours.
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