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Posted: Friday, November 17th, 2006 11:10 AM HST

Big Island votes down alcohol ban

By Associated Press

HILO, Hawaii (AP) _ Big Island council members voted this week not to outlaw alcohol use at beach parks. Hilo Councilman James Arakaki says the new law would have made criminals out of ordinary people who like to have a drink after work. The anti-drinking proposal had been supported by police, lifeguards and Mayor Harry Kim. Hamakua Councilman Fred Holschuh says he originally favored the alcohol ban but changed his vote after receiving hundreds of calls from people who told him the proposal would have taken away their freedom. But Councilman Bob Jacobson, a strong supporter of the alcohol ban, says alcohol has become a problem at the parks. Lifeguards have been forced to confront intoxicated beachgoers and deal with broken glass. Police argued that tougher laws were needed to reduce confrontations and decrease vandalism. (Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved)