Committee forwards Duane T. Mukai nomination to Liquor Control Adjudication Board with favorable recommendation

The Hawaii County Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs voted to close the file and forward the nomination of Duane T. Mukai to the Liquor Control Adjudication Board to full council with a favorable recommendation.

Micah Alameda, executive assistant to the mayor, introduced Mukai’s nomination and said that, if confirmed, Mukai’s term would expire on Dec. 31, 2030. Alameda summarized Mukai’s background, saying Mukai is a longtime Hilo resident, a 1974 graduate of Hilo High School and earned a BBA in management from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in 1978. Alameda noted Mukai’s work on local boards and commissions and called his civic experience a reason to support confirmation.

Duane T. Mukai addressed the committee and said he was "very honored" to be considered. He told members he previously served on the board and "did serve as the chairman," adding, "my learning curve will be very short. So I'll be up and running in no time."

Council members voiced support. Council member Kirkowitz said Mukai is "no stranger to service" and expressed confidence Mukai would work well with the new director of liquor administration. Council member Connelly Kleinfelder disclosed a prior financial-adviser relationship with Mukai, saying, "For the record, Mister Mukai was my financial adviser in the past and may currently have one small... account for one of my kids' savings account," and nonetheless indicated he would vote in favor.

With no public testimony and no further opposition, the clerk recorded six votes in favor; council members Inaba, Galimba and Villegas were absent. The committee’s favorable recommendation forwards the nomination to the full Hawaii County Council for final confirmation.

The committee meeting lasted about 27 minutes and adjourned without other actions on the liquor board nomination.