Feds may try to seize a Chinatown-area bar

Tuesday, May 30, 2000 | 10:29 a.m.

Federal officials may try to seize Hokulani's Bar and Grill, which opened about six months ago on North Beretania Street, because of its ties to Gabriel Aio and Steve Crouch, according to Honolulu television station KITV.

The two men are charged in a federal indictment that targets illegal gambling operations tied to organized crime. They are accused of selling protection to local gambling casinos,and making weekly protection payoffs to a police officer they thought was corrupt but actually was working undercover.

Business and Liquor Commission records show that Aio was the president of the company that owns Hokulani's and signed the lease for space in the former Kobayashi Hotel, according to the news report.

Aio's name was removed as an officer and director of the company when it applied for a liquor license because he has a felony criminal record and state law and city ordinances prohibit felons from holding liquor licenses.

The president and sole stockholder of the firm now is Hokulani Crouch, wife of Steve Crouch, who is listed in Liquor Commission records as a manager of the business.

Aio and Crouch have posted bail and are under house arrest. They are banned from visiting the Chinatown area, including Hokulani's.

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