For Immediate Release: June 3 , 2005

DLNR to Hold Hearings on Rule Changes for Commercial Harvest Permits

The hearings are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 21, 2005, at:

Hilo - DLNR - Forestry and Wildlife Conference Room, 19 E. Kawili St.
Honolulu – Kalanimoku State Office Building, Room 132, 1151 Punchbowl St.
Kahului – Lihikai School Cafeteria, 335 S. Papa Ave.
Lihue – State Building Conference Rooms A, B and C, 3060 Eiwa St.

The proposed amendments call for increasing: the number of permits that any given entity can obtain each year from three (3) to six (6); the maximum value of raw material to be harvested for each permit from $1,000 to $10,000; and the time of entry for harvesting raw materials valued between $1,001-$10,000 from 14 to 30 days.

Persons unable to attend or wishing to present additional comments, may mail written testimony by July 6, 2005 to DLNR, 1151 Punchbowl St. #325, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Requests for a sign language interpreter (SLI), other needs or additional information may be made at least 72 hours before the hearing is scheduled to start, by writing to DLNR, 1151 Punchbowl St. #325, Honolulu, HI 96813, or by calling 587-0166 in Honolulu. The proposed rule may also be viewed at: http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/PH-HAR-Chapter13-104.pdf  

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For more information, contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320