WAILUKU — The Maui County Council yesterday voted unanimously in favor of a bill that would ban alcohol from Honokowai Beach Park in West Maui.

The vote was the first reading of a bill that Councilmember Jo Anne Johnson said she authored at the behest of Honokowai neighborhood families. She said the park, which has popular playground equipment, has been plagued by a small but vocal group of heavy drinkers who have been known to vandalize the park and harass some park visitors.
“It's a family park. It's not a beach park,” Johnson said. “This is something that's long overdue, and I think we’re going to start looking at other parks, too, especially if they are used by children primarily.”
The bill is expected to pass second and final reading when the council gets together in two weeks for its next regular meeting, Johnson said. The measure then would be forwarded to Mayor Charmaine Tavares for final action.
Johnson said her Economic Development, Agriculture and Recreation Committee will next examine Charley Young Beach Park in Kihei for a potential alcohol ban.
Drinking is prohibited at state parks without a permit, but all-out alcohol bans are only in place at a handful of Maui County parks, such as Keopuolani Park in Central Maui, Johnson said.
Councilmember Mike Victorino said that, in general, he supports the alcohol bans, but he said they should only be done on a case-by-case basis after careful examination of each situation.