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Council approves first reading of ordinance requiring naloxone at licensed venues; staff outline opioid-settlement funding
Summary
Bill 71 will require on‑premises alcohol venues to keep naloxone and ensure employees are aware of its location and use; county staff reported approximately $1.4 million in settlement-related funds with $925,000 county share recently received and an RFI open to guide distribution.
The Hawaii County Council advanced a public‑safety ordinance at first reading on Aug. 20 that would require venues licensed to serve alcoholic beverages for in‑person consumption to keep naloxone on site and ensure employees know its location and administration.
Bill 71 was introduced by Councilmember Eustace and Councilmember Onishi. Department of Research & Development staff briefed the council on opioid settlement funding: the county-related total involved approximately $1.4 million (a mix of state and county allocations), with the county share reported at about $925,000 recently received and an earlier $478,400 state share already encumbered to support the Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force and related programs. Staff said $925,000 is currently the subject of an RFI (closing in September) to solicit nonprofit input for programmatic uses.
Councilmembers asked operational questions: how bars and restaurants will obtain naloxone, whether distribution partners exist, and who will provide training. Staff and nonprofits (including BISAC and the Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force) said nonprofits have been distributing naloxone at no cost at community events and can provide training; the Department of Liquor Control has run outreach and workshops for businesses. Councilmembers asked that staff prepare one-pager materials outlining how businesses can obtain naloxone and access training resources.
The council approved Bill 71 at first reading (9 ayes). Members emphasized the ordinance is intended to add a life‑saving, low-cost resource to first‑aid kits at venues and to pair it with training and nonprofit partnership for distribution.
What happens next: Staff will continue RFI processes for settlement funds, coordinate with nonprofits for training and distribution strategies, and develop outreach materials for businesses to comply with the ordinance if adopted in later readings.
