Kauai Council eyes park drinking ban

The Kauai County Council is considering a ban on nighttime drinking in county parks.

The measure, which would ban consumption or possession of an intoxicating liquor between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., has been endorsed by Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry.

The chief said that drinking in parks has contributed to domestic violence, criminal property damage, and assaults.

Still, in testimony delivered to the Council’s Parks and Transportation Committee, Perry said the law would be used primarily to crack down on troublemakers, and noted officers would not “bother” people who are not bothering others with their drinking, The Garden Island reported.

The bill would not apply to campers with valid permits.

Kauai is the only county in the state that allows drinking in its public parks. A law that banned drinking was allowed to expire in 2001.

The committee approved the bill, which will now go before the full Council for review.