NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Department of Agriculture
Proposed Amendments to Administrative Rules
For Plant Pest Control

Pursuant to Chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), and other applicable laws, notice is hereby given that the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (Department) will hold public hearings to receive testimony on proposed amendments to Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 4, Subtitle 6, Chapter 69A, “Pests for Control or Eradication.”

These rules were last revised on September 7, 1993. Rule amendments are needed to: (1) allow vertebrates such as the coqui frog to be designated as pests for control and eradication; and (2) add the coqui frog (Eleutherodactylus coqui), little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata), and nettle caterpillar (Darna pallivitta) to the list of pest species designated for control or eradication by the Department. Once adopted, these amendments will enable the Department to expand protection to the horticultural industry as to the coqui frog, and to control the spread of the coqui frog, little fire ant, and nettle caterpillar by rendering control and eradication services directed at these pests. In addition, the amendments propose minor housekeeping changes.

Background information on the three pests mentioned above and the proposed rule changes are available at the Department’s website at: http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/pi/ppc/npa

The following is the schedule of public hearings:

September 29, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Conference Room, Department of Agriculture
16 E Lanikaula Street
Hilo, Hawaii

September 29, 2008, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Kona Civic Center
82-6130 Mamalahoa Hwy.
Captain Cook, Hawaii

September 30, 2008, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Hale Waiolama Conference Room, Department of Agriculture
1428 South King Street
Honolulu, Hawaii

October 1, 2008, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Conference Room, Department of Agriculture
635 Mua Street
Kahului, Maui

October 2, 2008, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Conference Room, Department of Agriculture
4398A Pua Loke Street
Lihue, Kauai

All interested persons are urged to attend the hearings and submit comments orally or in writing. Copies of the proposed rule amendments may be reviewed online at http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/meetings_reports/public-notices/pn or in person during normal business hours at any of the listed Department offices:

Kauai – 4398A Pua Loke Street
Lihue, Kauai (Phone: 274-3071)

Oahu – 1428 South King Street
Honolulu (Phone: 973-9600)

Molokai – Molokai Irrigation Office
Puupeelua Ave., Hoolehua
(Phone: 567-6891)

Maui – 635 Mua Street
Kahului (Phone: 873-3556)

Hawaii- 16 E Lanikaula Street
Hilo (Phone: 974-4141)

Or

Kona State Building, Room 3
Captain Cook (Phone 323-7594)

Copies of the proposed rules may also be obtained at the above offices by paying a fee for photocopying or may be sent by mail upon request by paying a fee for photocopying and postage.

The Department of Agriculture will continue to accept written testimony developed after the hearings until October 7, 2008, at the Department’s Plant Pest Control Branch 1428 South King Street, Honolulu Hawaii 96814-2512.

Special modifications, e.g. sign language interpretation, large print, taped materials, accessible parking, can be provided if requested 4 days in advance of a hearing. This request may be made in writing to one of the addresses above or by calling (808)973-9530.