The Maui County Council has advanced a bill to ban alcohol from Honokowai Beach Park in West Maui, the Maui News reported.

Tuesday's vote was the first reading of a bill that Councilmember Jo Anne Johnson said she authored at the behest of Honokowai neighborhood families. She said the park, which has popular playground equipment, has been plagued by a small but vocal group of heavy drinkers who have been known to vandalize the park and harass some park visitors.

"It's a family park. It's not a beach park," Johnson said. "This is something that's long overdue, and I think we're going to start looking at other parks, too, especially if they are used by children primarily."

The bill is expected to pass second and final reading when the council meets again in two weeks, Johnson said. The measure then goes to Mayor Charmaine Tavares for final action.

Johnson said her Economic Development, Agriculture and Recreation Committee will next examine Charley Young Beach Park in Kihei for a potential alcohol ban.