The Website for the Honolulu County GOP Committee lists the group’s Treasurer as Elizabeth Hata Watanabe. Really? Do they know Liz’s track record?
Liz, as she’s known in party/club circles, was the owner operator of a failed nightclub, the O Lounge. Yes that enterprise failed as a business.
While Watanabe did a tremendous job promoting herself and her club among reporters, it would appear that the nightclub was not a financial success. She shuttered the doors to the night club in the wake of escalating scrutiny by the Honolulu Liquor Commission – for additional insights, review the HLC agendas/minutes in 2008 & 2009 .
Besides being cited and fined multiple times for serving alcohol to minors, Watanabe apparently hid her books from HLC investigators for four years – pretty suspicious don’t you think? Especially considering her husband was a 20+ year veteran of the Honolulu PD.
The adjudications against The O Lounge for three violations of 281-78(b)(1)(A), HRS (selling, serving or furnishing liquor to minors), for violation of Rule 3-84-78.52 (stacking) and for violation of Rule 3-81-17.54(d) (failing to make readily available for inspection its books and records for the last four years). HLC – 7/24/08
The O Lounge pled no contest and was fined a total of $4,000 for two repeat violations of Section 281-78(b)(1)(A), HRS (selling, serving or furnishing liquor to a minor). The Commission also placed the licensee on probation for six months effective Sept. 11, 2008. HLC - 9/11/08
[While on Probation] Allegations against The O Lounge were proved, and the licensee was fined $2,000 for a repeat violation of Section 281-78(b)(1)(A), HRS (selling, serving or furnishing liquor to a minor). HLC - 1/29/09
[While on Probation] Allegations against The O Lounge were proved, and the licensee was fined $2,000 for a repeat violation of Section 281-78(b)(1)(A), HRS (selling, serving or furnishing liquor to a minor). HLC – 2/5/09
Reviewed the six-month probationary period for The O Lounge and decided to continue the probation, suspension, age restriction (21 and over) and required that special events be approved by HLC enforcement before the event. HLC – 3/19/09
As things were about to blow up, she closed down the bar and told her reporter friends that she was going to focus on her roles as a mother and wife, do something more family oriented, maybe a children’s TV program – and instead got herself involved in a short lived realty TV show, Hawaii’s Big Deal Poker Tournament. That show lasted for several months and she lead people to believe there would be a second season of the show.
Nothing ever materialized and it’s suggested the show didn’t pencil out. Or perhaps investors said, “No” or “no more,” to a scam that had no ROI.
Then on June 14, 2011, Elizabeth Hata-Watanabe filed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (Case: 11-01679).
The woman repeatedly allowed alcohol to be served to minors, hid her nightclub’s ledgers from regulators for four years and filed a personal bankruptcy; yet, the good people at the Honolulu GOP Committee think she’s the best person to be their Treasurer? Somebody better check that organization’s books – if they can find them. Better yet, somebody better go check the GOP Committee’s bank accounts.
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1 comment:
We've heard from Liz Hata-Watanabe who, as one might expect, admonished our reports and, of course, denied any responsibility for her circumstances.
The self-promoter extraordinaire is also, it would seem, a professional victim. Among other things:
She (1) suggested that Counsel had advised the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy strategy; as if a lawyer's "blessing" absolves her or makes it right.
And (2) she scolded TVT for outing her husband. Really Liz, because you did that in 2008 when you pimped your family out for a MidWeek cover story! And every time you put your kids (family) on parade for self-aggrandizement. And further, it's not insignificant that you were alleged to have broken laws in Honolulu, given his profession.
Liz, like Lindsay Lohan, you crave the spotlight; it doesn't seek you out. Own your circumstances Lady! The truth will free you.
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