NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ADMINISTRATIVE RULES RELATING TO
STANDARDS FOR COFFEE

Notice is hereby given that the Department of Agriculture, pursuant to Chapter 91 and Sections 147-4 and 147-22, Hawaii Revised Statutes, will hold public hearings as follows:

February 21, 2017 9:00 a.m. March 3, 2017 9:00 a.m.
Quality Assurance Division Conference Rm. Department of Agriculture Conference Rm.
1851 Auiki Street 4398A Pua Loke Street
Honolulu, HI 96819 Lihue, HI 96766

February 22, 2017 9:00 a.m. March 7, 2017 9:00 a.m.
Department of Agriculture Conference Rm. West Hawaii Civic Center
635 Mua Street Community Meeting Hale Building G
Kahului, HI 96732 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
February 23, 2017 5:00 p.m.
Pahala Park and Community Center
96-1131 Kamani Street
Pahala, HI 96777

The purpose of the public hearing is to receive testimony related to the proposed amendments to Title 4, Subtitle 7, Chapter 143, Hawaii Administrative Rules, entitled “Standards for Coffee”. The proposed amendments are summarized below:

Extends the sunset date of twenty percent defect tolerance for Hawaii Prime, Hawaii Natural Prime, and Hawaii Mixed Natural Prime coffee from June 30, 2017 to June 30, 2020.

Extends the sunset date of the defect tolerance for coffee beans affected by not more than two pinholes caused by insect damage from June 30, 2017 to June 30, 2020.

Housekeeping changes.

The proposed rule amendments are available for review in person at the following Department of Agriculture office during business hours of 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday from February 14, 2017 to February 28, 2017.

Honolulu 1851 Auiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96819 Phone – 832-0700
Hilo 75 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI 96720 Phone – 974-6514
Kona 82-6130 Mamalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook, HI Phone – 323-7590
Maui 635 Mua Street, Kahului, HI 96732 Phone – 873-3554
Kauai 4398A Pua Loke St., Lihue, HI 96766 Phone – 241-7133

Copies of the proposed amendments may also be obtained at the above offices by paying a fee charge for photocopying or sent by mail upon receipt of a fee charge for photocopying and postage. Copies may also be reviewed or downloaded at the Department of Agriculture website at http://www/hawaii.gov/hoda/publicnotice.htm.

All interested persons may attend the public hearings and submit comments orally or in writing. Written testimony may be submitted prior to the hearing via postal mail to the Quality Assurance Division c/o Department of Agriculture, 1428 S. King St., Honolulu, HI 96814, or via fax at (808) 832-0683, or via email at HDOA.QAD@hawaii.gov. Please include the word “testimony” and the subject matter. If possible submit 5 written copies of the testimony prior to the hearing. Persons requiring special accommodations at the hearing may call the Department of Agriculture at (808) 832-0703 at least 5 working days prior to the hearing.
(HTH955253 1/19/17)~