LIHUE — Those who like to consume alcohol in county parks will have to find something else to do from 11 at night until 6 in the morning.

The Kauai County Council yesterday unanimously passed Bill No. 2320, which says that no person at a county park or recreation facility shall possess or consume any intoxicating liquor between those hours, excluding those persons with a valid camping permit.
“The intent of this bill is to give the police department some tools that they asked for,” said Councilman Derek Kawakami, who first introduced the bill at the behest of police Chief Darryl Perry.
Violators could be subject to a fine between $15 and $500.
When Perry testified before the Parks and Transportation Committee two weeks ago, he promised that KPD would not abuse the new power and would instead use discretion in applying it, adding “our intent is not to bother” people who don’t bother anybody with their alcohol consumption.
He said he respects the cultural aspects of drinking in public areas and the importance of family gatherings, understands Kaua‘i is “culturally unique” from other islands that already have full bans on drinking in public parks, and doesn’t want to be a “grinch.”
Kauai is the only county in Hawaii where drinking is allowed in county parks, after a previous county ordinance banning drinking was allowed to expire without renewal, earlier this decade, Perry said at August’s Police Commission meeting.
A section of the bill that would automatically repeal the curfew 18 months after its enactment was removed, so the provision will remain in effect indefinitely. The ordinance will take effect upon it being signed into law by Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.
“We’ll be working with the various agencies involved to ensure that enforcement will be carried out appropriately,” said Beth Tokioka, executive assistant to Carvalho, in a written statement yesterday.