Liquor panel rates Mukai ‘above average’
The Maui News – The Maui County Liquor Control Commission gave Department of Liquor Control Director Glenn Mukai “above average, satisfactory marks” in its first review of his job performance, according to a letter sent from the commission to Mayor Alan Arakawa.
“The commission believes that Director Mukai continues to lead the Department of Liquor Control in a satis
factory manner,” commission Chairman Robert Tanaka reports in a letter Thursday to the mayor.
The director received “above average” marks in all categories of his evaluation, including leadership in the department’s relationships, community relations, standards of professionalism and management of the department’s administrative and budgetary responsibilities.
Mukai earns $132,432 annually to lead the department responsible for the regulation and control of the importation, manufacture, sale and service of alcoholic beverages. The department administers liquor licenses and permit applications, site inspections and enforcement of liquor laws.
The commission’s review comes despite the department’s leadership coming under heavy criticism in 2017 for pushing major rule changes that included allowing 24-hour retail sales of alcohol and imposing stringent requirements on nonprofit groups seeking single-event licenses. Most of the changes initially approved by the commission have been reversed under public pressure.
Mukai took over as director in June 2016 after an eight-month hiring process triggered by the retirement of former Director Frank Silva. Tanaka has said Mukai was hired for his more than 30 years of experience, including serving as deputy director.