HONOLULU – The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Cable Television Division has received notification of Oceanic Time Warner Cable’s intent to renew its Maui County and Lahaina/West Maui cable television franchises.

As part of the renewal process, DCCA is holding community meetings to obtain the public’s general input and comments on Oceanic’s services and how subscribers or their communities may be able to benefit from services provided by Oceanic and its cable television systems on Maui.

The agency also seeks feedback on the services currently being provided by Oceanic and Akaku: Maui Community Television, Maui’s PEG Access Organization.

Maui meetings are slated for Tuesday, Aug. 28, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the West Maui Senior Center at 788 Pauoa St. in Lahaina, and Wednesday, Aug. 29, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in the J. Walter Cameron Center Auditorium at 95 Mahalani St. in Wailuku.

According to the DCCA, these community meetings are part of an effort to assess the community needs and interests with regard to Oceanic’s cable television service.

Participation as an individual or a representative of a community organization will assist DCCA in determining what it should consider in the renewal process.

At the meetings, information will be provided on the cable television franchising process.

All interested persons will be afforded the opportunity to submit their comments, both orally and in writing, at the time of the community meeting, and will be asked to fill out a brief questionnaire and survey to help identify cable-related community needs and interests on Maui.

This is an important opportunity for the community to have a voice in this process, as comments and input from these meetings will be used to compile a “Community Ascertainment Report” that will serve as an important tool in the cable franchise renewal process.

Any issues directly related to Oceanic Time Warner’s cable franchises in Maui County that appear in this report should be addressed by the firm within its application for renewal.

Individuals who are unable to attend these meetings but would still like to submit written comments have until Sept. 14. Send comments by e-mail to cabletv@ dcca.hawaii.gov, fax to (808) 586-2625 or mail to DCCA-CATV, P.O. Box 541, Honolulu, HI 96809.

For more information, contact DCCA-CATV at the address above or call (808) 586-2620.