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2007-10-18 tracking News section
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LC Watch


Paradice Lost


October 18, 2007
The blues really played for Paradice Bluz on Oct. 11. That's when the Maui County Liquor Control Adjudication Board revoked owner Chris Mahon's liquor license.

Mahon had to face the music on two separate cases. Both involving alleged over-service. The first trial stemmed from a fight that occurred outside the Lahaina club back last December. The second was the result of someone who drank at the bar and then killed someone in an automobile accident, even though his girlfriend allegedly told bouncers she'd be driving and would take responsibility. 

In the first case a guy and his buddy were hanging at home, watching the tube, and making a good dent in a case of Bud Light. Then they hit the bars. 

At Paradice Bluz, one of them was apparently too obvious while ogling some guy's girl. The boyfriend took offence and stood up for the girl. One of the guys took off his shirt, then the owner and a bouncer quickly escorted the offending party outside. 

But outside, the tough guys fought, which brought the cops. Result: Paradice Bluz is brought up on charges before the LC. Mahon represented himself, but the board found him guilty of two charges and fined him $4,000.

Highlights of the "trial"¯ included board members asking when "bar time"¯ occurs, what happens when someone mixes Red Bull and vodka, and whether Red Bull and vodka is an alcoholic drink. Listening to the questions, I kept picturing the scene from Good Will Hunting when Ben Affleck sits in for Matt Damon at his big, corporate job interview. 

Then, at lunch, Chief Liquor Enforcement Officer Bill Pacheco asked Mahon, owner of Paradice Bluz, to step into his office to talk about the second case. The LC apparently agreed to drop two counts. In exchange, Mahon pleaded no contest to the remaining charge of serving someone who was already under the influence of alcohol. 

And that's when the Adjudication Board revoked his license. A few days after  the hearing, Mahon said he would appeal the license revocation. 

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  1. print email
    paradicelost
    October 18, 2007 | 10:04 PM

    when it was trial time Paradice Lost a person who mixed red bull and vodka.

    Abner
  2. print email
    ParadiceLost
    October 18, 2007 | 10:08 PM

    this story was complicated because I got confused between the new Super Smash Bros.

    Abner
  3. print email
    Paradice lost
    October 19, 2007 | 07:50 AM

    This goes out to the Las Vegas tourist who took a life of an innocent man , and the business of an innocent man. SHAME ON YOU!!!!! . Mr Vegas, You think because you have a lot of money you can go around our island and start fights with locals at the Westin? You made such a big scene that day you had to be escorted off property. Does the Local Community know that you had too many shots of Patron at Kimo's that night and A 300+ tab at Moose's. You claim the last place you had a drink was at Paradice Bluz, but when you were asked what you had to drink, you did not remember if you had a drink there or not, you just remember being there. Let me ask you this, was that before or after Kimos and Mooses? You and your wife then must been pretty sober to be able to walk back to Longhi's from Paradice Bluz to retrieve your vehicle. Danny who works Valet remembers he would not give you the keys, and told your wife she would have to drive, but it did not happen that way, she and you were in a heated argument, and she threw the keys at you, and she left you and walked back to Moose's. So could it be you were at Moose's fighting and decided to leave, and then she left you at Longhi's... How can you prove to anyone the last place you had a drink was at Paradice Bluz, just because you say so??? There are a lot of Bars on Front Street between The Bluz and Longhi's.....Being drunk as you were, was it hard to walk that far? Did your wife have to carry you? Or did you stop at Kimos or Mooses for one more before you went to get your car...If I were Paradice Bluz I would hire an attorney and get to the bottom of this speculation. And one more thing, sue your wife for leaving your side and giving you the keys, instead of Paradice Bluz. WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR OWN ACTIONS...

    jade
  4. print email
    Paradice Lost
    October 19, 2007 | 03:21 PM

    The valet allegedly was not going to give the guy the keys back being that he looked too intoxicated. The girlfriend said she would drive, so they gave her the keys? They got into a fight, and she threw him the keys allowing him to drive drunk, killing someone. How is that Chris' fault ESPECIALLY when they had outrageous alcohol tabs prior at Kimo's and Mooses...no receipt for Bluz though. Only a statement from someone saying 'I think I may have had one drink there.'

    I TOTALLY agree with Jade above and I don't think many people are aware of the fight earlier that afternoon that MR VEGAS had started at The Westin. Another thing about that case. How is it that these people can seem to remember everything else but all facts regarding Paradice Bluz are so vague and were said in question. For example, they swore on that night the cover was $20 and they remember throwing a fit about it. Since when does Paradice Bluz have a $20 cover unless it is a special show. And since when do people who can fork out for $500 in drinks prior to SUPPOSEDLY walking down to Bluz, and gripe about a cover? Then the 'I think I may have had one drink there' statement. Give me a break. Fess up that Bluz wasn't your last stop. Come on now, the times don't match up neither do your stories.

    The fight inside the club was handled by escorting the people upstairs. That is also known as the 'common area'. Not Paradice Bluz patio...if it was handled by staff kicking them out, then they get into a fight upstairs, how is it Chris gets nabbed with a $4,000 fine? There have been numerous fights outside Moose's. How many fines have they got? Bars should not be held accountable for fights outside.

    So he is appealing? Good. Go Chris! So many people support you on this island! ! So Mr Vegas, by his own accord, drinks too much, MAKES THE DECISION to drive in a bad mood, kills someone and is back at home....doing what? While Chris is here trying to keep his business. So NOT FAIR.

    *We Love You Chris* Go Bears! ! !

    *Girl*
  5. print email
    Typical LC tyranny
    October 19, 2007 | 03:22 PM

    I can't believe this happened, but it's par for course. The Maui Liquor Commission is rotten to the core. They are on take. How many white envelopes pass hands??? I bet Paradice Bluz didn't pay their monthly "tribute"......

    I worked at one establishment during the mid 90's where I saw the tribute being given a more than a few occasions. Maybe the FBI should get involved.

    P Henry
  6. print email
    Counter-sue
    October 19, 2007 | 03:25 PM

    I would counter sue the Vegas criminal. Go get him.

    P henry
  7. print email
    October 19, 2007 | 06:40 PM

    Its a shame to see Chris treated this way. He is one of the nices guys you'll ever meet, and he knows how to run a nightclub better than anyone i've ever met. Its a shame to see the Paradice close down...Cant wait to chill with Mahon at his new spot.

    Mike Grabow
  8. print email
    LC IS OUT OF CONTROL!!!
    October 19, 2007 | 09:20 PM

    THIS IS THE BIGGEST BUNCH OF CRAP I'VE EVER HEARD! WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE OLD FARTS!! THEY HAVE SHUT DOWN EVERYONE! WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE BUSINESS OWNERS RIGHTS? THEY HAVE MADE SO MANY STUPID POINTLESS LAWS JUST FOR THE PLAIN AND SIMPLE FACT THAT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A VIOLATION TO GIVE IF THEY WANT TO MESS WITH AN ESTABLISHMENT. EVEN IF A CLUB OR BAR IS STAFFED WITH 50 SECURITY GUARDS, AND FOLLOWING ALL THE RULES THEY CAN FIND SOME REASON TO GIVE A VIOLATION! COME ON, NO DANCING WITH A DRINK IN YOUR HAND??HOW CAN U STOP SOMEONE FROM MOVING TO THE BEAT OF A SONG EPICALLY IF THEY ARE DRINKING!! THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND WE AS CITIZENS NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN ON ANY OTHER ISLANDS OR ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD FOR THAT MATTER. I'VE CREATED AN EMAIL TO GET FEEDBACK FROM PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT WE CAN ALL DO TO STAND UP FOR OUR RIGHT TO HAVE NIGHTLIFE ON MAUI!! PLEASE, IF YOU HATE THE LC AS MUCH AS I DO LETS DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, EMAIL ME AT SCREWTHEMAUILC@YAHOO.COM AND WE CAN ALL ARRANGE A PROTEST OR AT LEAST MAKE THESE ONGOING EVENTS PUBLIC AND IN THE NEWS! LETS DO IT!

    SCREWTHEMAUILC@YAHOO.COM

    HELP ME HELP YOU!

    JOE BLOW
  9. print email
    SCREWTHEMAUILC@YAHOO.COM
    October 19, 2007 | 09:23 PM

    LETS BLOW THE WHISTLE ON THESE HORRIBLE PEOPLE!! THEY TAKE "DONATIONS" AND ONLY PROTECT VENUES THAT PAY THEM OFF!!

    JOE BLOW
  10. print email
    MAUI LC-SUCK IT! !
    October 19, 2007 | 10:11 PM

    I AGREE...A PROTEST IS VERY NECESSARY!

    LET'S DO THIS. NO MORE 'DONATIONS'! WHOSE POCKETS ARE BEING LINED WITH THESE BRIBES?

    PICKET SIGN
  11. print email
    AGREE
    October 19, 2007 | 11:40 PM

    I agree w/ the ruling. Bars are liable BY LAW to watch the intoxiation of their patrons. They should have noticed that this person had TOO MUCH TO DRINK regardless! So good for them! I wish others would do the same! Protect the people of Maui.

    Kapua
  12. print email
    October 19, 2007 | 11:43 PM

    this is a huge mistake! bars dont cause problems, dumb patrons do, and they ruid it for the rest of us!!

    u
  13. print email
    October 19, 2007 | 11:54 PM

    Everyone handles there alcohol diffrently, when someone leaves a bar who knows what they do does on his own time. This person might of stopped at a friends house and did a few shots or smoked some weed! I am tired of the blame game, Tired of Statements with no proof and tired of The LC acting like God with there hands out waiting for donations....

    lou M
  14. print email
    Responsible Adults?!?
    October 20, 2007 | 07:49 AM

    I find it funny how law requires you to be 21 and over to "drink responsibly." and what happens when these "mature adults" (whom have the choice/capacity to stop drinking when they should) screw up? They put the blame on someone else!

    Jessica
  15. print email
    I have to agree.
    October 20, 2007 | 05:58 PM

    My concern is not against the LC but what about this man who died. He is never coming back. His family and friends are grieving. They lost someone dear to their heart. I think everyone involved should take responsbility. To me losing a licence and 4000 dollars in fines is much better than the death.

    Anya
  16. print email
    PARADICE BLUZ REVOKED
    October 21, 2007 | 12:49 PM

    I am a bar owner on Maui and, unfortunately, I cannot reveal my name. I will be bothered by the LC and may be even written up for some petty violations. I have known Chris personally for over 10 years now and consider him a young, hip, trend-setter for Maui. He took nothing and turned it into something and now it’s gone due to corruption. We all feel bad for the lives that were taken. I personally know the wife of the first case, and the family of the second. When I read about it in the paper, I got on the phone to find out what the hell was going on. Chris did not answer which I’m used to, but this time around I understood why. When he finally did get back to me, and explained the cases to me, I realized that the LC was aiming for him for some reason. To let everyone know, Paradice Bluz ‘allegedly’ served the guy one god damn drink and was punished for over serving. They have records at the LC office showing the receipts of three other bars (Westin, Kimo‘s & Mooses) that served these tourists over three hundred dollars of alcohol. And now you think, ‘well if they drank so much, how did they get in to Paradice to drink more?’ Well for all the drinkers out, there remember how many bars you have been able to get into intoxicated but have been able to pull yourself together long enough to fool the bouncer and bartender to get another drink. And for all you non-drinkers don’t even try to understand or answer that. I am not fending for a friend at all, if you are wrong then you should pay. In this case the wrong person is paying . I hope the employees and owners of the other establishments involved feel bad for lying and letting this young entrepreneur, and possibly a friend of yours, lose his lively hood and dream. Shame on all of you and you know karma will kick all of you in the ass..

    p.s

    I have sat at almost all the bars in this town obviously intoxicated and have never been cut off by a bartender .


    MAUI BAR OWNER
  17. print email
    bribe
    October 21, 2007 | 02:14 PM

    Ive personally seen bribes paid to the Maui LC. Bribes to keep petty offenses quiet. I never realized the mafia style of maui politics until then. The LC has many laws that should be taken to court.The LC should be independently investigated for corruption.

    johndoe
  18. print email
    paradice bluz lost
    October 22, 2007 | 05:43 AM

    Many people talk about how corrupt the lc is when it comes to pay off's. I believe there is only one way to combat these legal villans. We have to stand up againt them as a community and fight them with real legal power. The problem is everyone is affraid to go against them, its just like a mofia movie. The case against paradice bluz is just another one and they will continue to happen. what does "we the people" mean if we do not unite. Everyone talks the talk but no one walks the walk. I am organizing a union for bar owners and i want to have my first meeting in november if i see enough people interested. I believe with the right attorney and the power of the people we can start to take control of our own destiny. I will give you up dates daily here on Mauitime.com letting you know the response i have received from all of the truly concerned people of Maui. Please support this and let them hear your voice. contace me at wedapeople1@yahoo.com.

    we da people
  19. print email
    October 22, 2007 | 01:11 PM

    Only problem is how truly mafia style it is.
    Do you know what a union buster is? In maui it would be the LC standing at your bar all night waiting to write you up for anything they could. Does any bar want to be on the bad side of the LC in this town? Look what just went down with paradice?

    owl
  20. print email
    ParadiceLost
    October 22, 2007 | 05:04 PM

    First of all, it is very sad that anypone lost their life...period.

    But why Chris? Why Paradice Bluz? This all seems so ass-backwards. paradice Bluz is not at fault...it's the person who did it. Why is the LC even involved? If you look at the evidence then all the previous bars are at fault, since the Paradice Bluz only served one drink and kicked them out. Basically the person who did the crime should pay the crime...not the business owner.

    Me
  21. print email
    paradice bluz revoked?
    October 23, 2007 | 05:01 AM

    aloha gang, this is chris from paradice and i just want to thank everyone for your support on my case. there is alot going on with the case and i understand everyones anger. i want to focus in on the lifes that were lost for a minute. I want to publicly acknowledge the families and friends of the lifes that were lost. I am sorry that paradice bluz is considered at fault for this horrific lose.
    I have and always had responsible bartenders that had many years experience behind a bar. I will continue to support my staff in every way. In less you have been in this business or around it for a long time, do not think you can answer the question of intoxication. Soon you will see what i am talking about with proof to people of Maui. I did not open a club to get people drunk, I opened it for one fact only, to make people happy with great music. Now it is gone and i have been judged by people that probably never stepped foot into a bar. The commision is to protect the people and the establishments, from my experience it seems like they put you in business to try and take you out. Its a big circle and It took me sixteen years in this town to figure that out. for the record, I have been in management in the restaurant industry for 13 years and had no prior violations runing 5 other establishiments. My first violation was for a musician stepping off the stage onto the dance floor to sing to a girl and i didnt receive a permit for that. This happened in the 2nd yr of business at paradice bluz. Then the board told me I guess your 15 year employee manual was not enough. I have learned from the best of the best and they will never be able to take that away from me. Yes no one is perfect, i love going to the office and asking a liquor question and they have to open the book to answer it, but we have to know it off the top of our heads. Sorry we have a business to run. help us run ours not ruin it. I do not have any problems with the lc, but i will continue to fight to prove my innocence. this was with out a doubt unjust and wrongfull prosecution. Again thank you for everything and to the families involved I am extremly sorry for your lose but understand i am not admiting guilt.

    chris Mahon
  22. print email
    LC needs to publish Laws that they mandate.
    October 23, 2007 | 05:25 AM

    The Lc needs to put a time limit on when A Bar in no longer responsible for lives when they leave an establishment. . Being responsible for that many lives on a nightly basis, and not knowing where these patrons go, or what they do when they leave the premisis. Let me give you an example, lets say a young kid, 22 years old has been drinking at a Bar, and he leaves and meets up with some friends outside and he drinks some more in a near by parking lot, and later he gets in his car and drives away and kills someone or is killed, who is at fault. What if the kid does not want to confess he was drinking outside and accuses the bar he was last at? Good question to ask the Lc. If the Lc Is reading, can you answer that. Or Lets have the Lc publish the laws that they mandate and let the public know. So everyone is aware, Not all of us are in the business.. I think everyone should know the laws of Drinking at a Bar in Maui. Visitors need to be aware as well... We need to Have our Councilman and Mayor get involved to start protecting everyone better. Something has got to change.

    lisam
  23. print email
    Who is to Blame
    October 23, 2007 | 05:45 AM

    I have to agree with Lisam, for example lets say a 22 year old young man is drinking at a bar and is paying by credit card to pay for his drinks and leaves, and goes to another bar but pays for his drinks with cash. The young man is intoxicated and later drives away and dies. No one can question him, so the LC investigate's and get copies of his credit card statements showing the last place he was served was the first bar. The Lc would blame the first bar, not knowing this kid was down the street drinking at the second bar. This is why we need The County to get involved and start protecting Business Owners.

    jade
  24. print email
    Sad for Everyone
    October 24, 2007 | 04:41 PM

    I think it is horrific that lives were lost due to alcohol and I think it is sad that the bar owner had to lose his LC license, but if you own a bar, things like this happen, not just on Maui, but everywhere. It is a gamble you take. I didn't know the facts of the case and now I do and I think it is horrible on both sides, but my thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost their loved ones. As for the bar owner, you are still alive and can kick start your dream again, I guess next time keep looking over your shoulder....not everyone is your friend.

    Anonymous
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