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In Hawaii, there is no state law requiring individuals to be licensed in order to sell or serve alcohol. With that being said, each county / city in Hawaii has their own regulations in place that may or may not require a server or bartender to be licensed.
Below we will cover the four Hawaii counties laws regarding bartending license requirements and exactly how to go about receiving a license if it is required.
City and County of Honolulu Bartending License Requirements
In the county of Honolulu, server training is required for bartenders and managers. Training is provided by the county and can be done either online or in-person. Follow the below steps to become certified quick and easy.
Step 1: Take Server Training
Navigate to the Honolulu Liquor Commissions Events Calendar here and select a date to attend a virtual server training and complete the exam.
Note: Sever training is available every week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:45 am.
Once you choose a date, you will be taken to a page to “register” with for the event using Zoom, a virtual meeting software. If you are having any trouble at all, you can use this guide to troubleshoot. After registering, you will receive an email with a link that you will use on the day of your scheduled training – keep this link handy.
Step 2: Attend training and take the online test
On the date of your scheduled training, click the link that you saved from Step 1 and join the training. At the end of the training, you will be sent an online test by email. You will have 30 minutes to take the test.
If you pass the test, you will receive a Certificate of Completion in a couple of hours. If you fail, you will have to take training again.
Step 3: Schedule an appointment to receive your liquor card
In order to receive your liquor card proving you completed the Honolulu server training requirements, you will have to schedule an appointment for in-person (Directions here).
To do so, navigate to the AlohaQ website and select a time (Monday – Friday, 7:45 am – 4:15 pm). You will need to bring the following materials with you to your appointment:
- A filled out and printed Certificate of Registration (Liquor Card) Form
- A copy of the email stating you passed server training
- A valid and unexpired government ID (passport, driver’s license, etc).
- A Social Security card OR an original, printed W-2 which shows your SSN
- $10.00 in either cash or card payment
A liquor card expires every 4 years in the county of Honolulu at which point you must retake server training and pass the examination again to receive a renewed Liquor Card.
Minimum Age Required to Bartend in the county of Honolulu:
- 18
For additional information please feel free to refer to the Honolulu Liquor Commission site for any further help
County of Hawaii Bartender License Requirements:
In the County of Hawaii, there aren’t any regulations in place that require a server or bartender to be licensed in order to sell alcohol.
Minimum Age To Serve Alcoholic Beverages In the County of Hawaii
- 18
County of Kauai Bartending License Requirements
In the county of Kauai, servers and bartenders are not required to be licensed in order to sell alcohol.
Managers and assistant managers on the other hand are required to receive a “blue card” from the Kauai Department of Liquor Control. You must be 21 years old to be a manager.
To take the blue card exam, you can schedule a time here. You will need to bring with you a valid ID and a completed Notice of Employment Form. A study guide for the exam can be found here.
Minimum Age To Serve Alcoholic Beverages In Kauai:
- 18
County of Maui Bartending License Requirements
In the County of Maui, one employee at every location that sells alcoholic beverages must be certified by the Maui Liquor Control Department. The employee must be 21 years old and be on the premises during all operating hours. For this reason, a bar or restaurant may have multiple, if not all, employees go through training and certification.
To take the Maui online certification exam, follow the steps provided here.
Minimum Age To Sell and Serve Alcoholic Beverages In Maui:
The minimum age to serve alcohol in Maui is 18 years old as long as under the supervision of a 21 year old with a certification from the Maui Liquor Department.
At 21 years old individuals are allowed to handle alcohol without restriction (i.e. mix drinks, sell, and serve).
