To-go cocktails rule makes alcohol more available

The World Health Organization is urging our world to reduce its alcohol intake during the pandemic as a proven way to lessen the incidences and severity of COVID-19.

Instead of seeking ways to support efforts to reduce alcohol consumption in our community, the Maui County Liquor Control Commission’s new to-go cocktails rule has made alcohol more easily consumable and available in our community.

Their recent decision to allow to-go cocktails at bars and restaurants has been a short-sighted and poorly designed rule from the beginning.

The current rule allows people to drive off in their vehicles with cocktails and mixed drinks of any size, in any container, with no seal requirements. This rule not only makes it easier to drink alcohol but encourages open containers of alcohol in vehicles.

Such a rule will certainly contribute to higher rates of drunken driving and alcohol-related crashes and injuries in our county. The pandemic has made Maui one of the highest unemployed places in the country and left many of us in a state of distress. Allowing stressed out people to drive around with to-go cocktails is like pouring fuel on a fire.

We will only add to the already overwhelming burden our community faces in getting through this pandemic. If we want to continue to keep our COVID-19 cases low, and ensure we prevent any more undue stress in our community, we must let the liquor commission know that this rule must end immediately.

Ann Collins

Makawao