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Hearings to examine
quarantine fees

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Star-Bulletin staff

The state Department of Agriculture will hold public hearings next month to discuss a proposal to lower the cost of quarantine fees for residents and military personnel.

The proposed fee reduction would come in the form of a reimbursement by the state for each dog and cat quarantined from July 1, 2000, until July 30 of this year. Because of a $500,000 congressional appropriation, quarantined dogs and cats that belong to residents and active duty military grades E-7 to O-2 would be eligible for a $110 reduction. Active duty military grades E-1 to E-6 would have a $230 reduction.

Currently, pet owners pay $655 per animal for a 30-day quarantine period and $1,080 for a 120-day quarantine period in Hawaii.

According to the proposed rule, no reduction will be administered for animals that are owned by active duty military officers above grade O-2, assigned an entry date after the reduction lapse date, in transit to another destination, born during the quarantine period in the process of qualifying for a 30-day quarantine but unable to enter quarantine during the reduction period, or pending entry for a 30-day or 120-day quarantine after the lapse date.

Unpaid balances for quarantine fees would be adjusted based on the fee reduction.

To obtain a reimbursement, applicants would need to provide basic personal information plus:

rank of active duty military animal owner

a copy of the animal's quarantine payment receipt, or

the animal's electronic microchip number, or

the animal's entry number and name.

The state Department of Agriculture urges the public to attend the hearings and submit comments orally or in writing.

Copies of the proposed rules may be reviewed in person during business hours at the following offices:

Oahu:

99-941 Halawa Valley Street, Aiea. Phone number: 483-7100

99-951 Halawa Valley Street, Aiea. Phone number: 483-7151

1428 South King Street, Honolulu. Phone number: 483-7100

Kauai:

4398A Pua Loke Street, Lihue. Phone number: 274-3069

Maui:

635 Mua Street, Kahalui. Phone number: 873-3555

Hawaii:

75 Aupuni Street, Hilo. Phone number: 974-6500

Kona Civic Center, Rm. 3, Mamalahoa Hwy., Capt. Cook. Phone number: 974-6500

The proposal may also be viewed at: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/publicnotices.htm

The Department of Agriculture will continue to accept written testimony after the hearings until Feb. 27 at The Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 22159 Honolulu, HI 96823-2159.

To request modifications such as sign language interpretation, large print, taped materials or accessible parking, call 483-7103.

Schedule of hearings

Here's the schedule of public hearings on the proposal to lower the cost of Hawaii quarantine for pets:

Feb. 15 at 10 a.m.
Department of Agriculture Conference Room
4398A Pua Loke St., Lihue, Kauai

Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.
Plant Quarantine Conference Room
701 Ilalo Street, Honolulu, Hawaii

Feb. 20 at 1 p.m.
Wailuku Community Center
395 Waena Street, Kahului, Maui

Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.
State Office Building, Conference Room (A, B and C)
75 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii

Feb. 21 at 10 a.m.
Natural Energy Lab, Makai Conference Room
73-4460 Queen Kaahumanu Hwy.
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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Quarantine Info