Section 16-28-21 - Informational and comment proceeding(a) The purpose of the informational and comment proceeding shall be to receive information and comments from interested persons on an application.(b) If the commissioner decides to hold an informational and comment proceeding, the commissioner shall notify the applicant and each person who requested a proceeding of the date, time, and location of the proceeding, not less than ten days prior to the proceeding. The commissioner may also decide not to hold an informational and comment proceeding, in which case the commissioner shall so advise the applicant and each person who requested the proceeding.(c) The informational and comment proceeding shall involve a meeting with division representatives at which the participants shall be asked to present their views orally. Separate meetings with each of the participants may be conducted where deemed advisable.(d) There is no proof to be made during an informational and comment proceeding. Witness statements are unshorn, voluntary, and not subject to any restriction, except that they pertain to the application. The proceeding shall not be recorded or transcribed.(e) The informational and comment proceeding shall be open to the public, except when the commissioner determines that the circumstances warrant confidentiality.[Eff 8/13/87; am and comp 1/27/01; comp 8/04/05] (Auth: HRS § 449-2) (Imp: HRS §§ 449-6, 449-7, 449-7.4, 449-7.5, 449-8, 449-8.5)