Who needs a restaurant general license (class 2) or dispenser general license (class 5) in Hawaii?
Issued by Your county liquor commission: Honolulu Liquor Commission, Maui Department of Liquor Control, Hawaii County Department of Liquor Control or Kauai Liquor Control, at step 5 of 6 in the opening sequence: alcohol permits.
There is no state license and no quota; the county commission issues the license after a public hearing with notice published and mailed to neighbors, and must refuse it if a majority of the registered voters or property owners within 500 feet protest. A restaurant license needs a kitchen with food at least 30% of gross revenue; a bar without that ratio holds a dispenser license. Allow three to four months, and a floor plan, the lease, the certificate of occupancy and each owner’s disclosures go with the application.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 5 of 6: Alcohol permits
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Your county liquor commission: Honolulu Liquor Commission, Maui Department of Liquor Control, Hawaii County Department of Liquor Control or Kauai Liquor Control.
Sources and dates
HRS chapter 281 (281-31 license classes, 281-59 protests); Honolulu Liquor Commission fee schedule (effective 2018, revised 2021) and January 2024 licensing presentation; Maui renewal form DLC-029; Hawaii County liquor permit portal. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
Yes. There is no state license and no quota; the county commission issues the license after a public hearing with notice published and mailed to neighbors, and must refuse it if a majority of the registered voters or property owners within 500 feet protest.
Yes. There is no state license and no quota; the county commission issues the license after a public hearing with notice published and mailed to neighbors, and must refuse it if a majority of the registered voters or property owners within 500 feet protest.
Yes. There is no state license and no quota; the county commission issues the license after a public hearing with notice published and mailed to neighbors, and must refuse it if a majority of the registered voters or property owners within 500 feet protest.
Yes. There is no state license and no quota; the county commission issues the license after a public hearing with notice published and mailed to neighbors, and must refuse it if a majority of the registered voters or property owners within 500 feet protest.
Yes. There is no state license and no quota; the county commission issues the license after a public hearing with notice published and mailed to neighbors, and must refuse it if a majority of the registered voters or property owners within 500 feet protest.
Yes. There is no state license and no quota; the county commission issues the license after a public hearing with notice published and mailed to neighbors, and must refuse it if a majority of the registered voters or property owners within 500 feet protest.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
Your county liquor commission: Honolulu Liquor Commission, Maui Department of Liquor Control, Hawaii County Department of Liquor Control or Kauai Liquor Control.
Step 5 of 6, alcohol permits. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax, approve the space and get the permits for your kind of business.
Who needs a restaurant general license in Hawaii? | DoorWorthy
