Source: Maui Time, Maui News, Best of Maui, Maui Activities

LC%20Watch

by Jacob Shafer

July 23, 2009

Stop at ten

Much has been made (by us and Maui Dance Advocates, mostly) about the LC’s restrictive dancing rules. Even if you dip into this column only occasionally, chances are you’re aware of the controversy.

But there’s another aspect that hasn’t gotten as much attention: while the dancing rules impact every would-be booty shaker and toe tapper, they really put the squeeze on minors.

This is what the pertinent portion of section 08-101-61 of the department’s rules says: 

Public dancing by minors in licensed premises shall be permitted only when: (1) Accompanied by a legal, responsible adult; and (2) Food service, music, and entertainment are being provided; and (3) An approved area is set aside and designated a non-consumption area where minors shall remain; and (4) The dancing concludes by 10:00 p.m. 

The rules go on to allow the Commission to “authorize an extension of hours for special occasions, events, or circumstances.” But in most cases, if you’re under 21 years old (that’s how the LC defines “minor”, as opposed to the more traditional under-18 definition), you cannot dance in a place where alcohol is being served after 10pm.

That means, technically, if a 20-year-old woman wanted to bob her head and wave her arms in a rhythmic fashion to a little slack key guitar at a liquor-selling restaurant at 10:01pm in the designated dancing area, she’d still be in violation—or, more accurately, the restaurant would be in violation.

If that seems ridiculous, it’s because it is. 

To share or save this article, type: mt.smub.it/lc2  into your smartphone or pc