Audit flags gaps in oversight of Hawaii County liquor-department travel; council closes file

A Hawaii County performance audit released March 7 found shortcomings in how the Department of Liquor Control manages travel spending and training, and the Communication Reports and Council Oversight Committee voted April 1 to close the audit communication after hearing testimony and asking the department for follow-up actions.

The audit, presented by County Auditor Tyler Banner, examined travel expenditures from fiscal years 2019 through 2024 and made five recommendations, including that the department adopt a written travel policy, prioritize needs-based training, strengthen post‑travel reporting, limit travel that reaches quorum levels, and that the council consider a two‑year cooling‑off period for appointments between the Liquor Commission and the Liquor Adjudication Board.

Why it matters: the department is funded by liquor license fees rather than the general fund, so the auditor said fee revenue must maintain a direct and proportionate relationship to operating costs under Hawaii law. The audit found travel spending is high relative to the department’s budget and questioned whether travel is being prioritized by need or by seniority.

County Auditor Tyler Banner summarized the audit scope and methods and said the office ran the review in accordance with government auditing standards. “We conducted this audit at the request of council after deliberation and the unanimous approval of…