HAR §4-41-26. Standards for Hawaii-grown asparagus

(a) As used in this section: "Damage" means any defect or combination of defects which materially detracts from the appearance, or the edible or shipping quality of the asparagus. "Diameter" means the greatest thickness of the stalk measured at a point approximately one inch from the butt. "Fairly straight" means the stalk is not more than moderately curved in one direction. "Fairly well trimmed" means at least one-third of the butt of the stalk is cut off neatly at approximately right angles to the stalk's longitudinal axis and the butt is not stringy or frayed. "Fresh" means the stalk is not limp or flabby. "Serious damage" means any defect or combination of defects which seriously detracts from the appearance, or the edible or shipping quality of the asparagus. "Seriously misshapen" means the stalk has double curves or shepherd crooks, or is seriously flattened. "Well trimmed" means at least two-thirds of the butt of the stalk is cut off neatly at approximately right angles to the stalk's longitudinal axis. (b) Hawaii No. 1 (Hawaii Grade A) asparagus §4-41- 41-21 consist of Hawaii-grown asparagus stalks which are fresh, well trimmed, and fairly straight; which have green color over two-thirds or more of the stalk length; and which are free from decay and from damage caused by spreading or broken tips, dirt, disease, insects, or mechanical or other means. Unless otherwise specified, the diameter of each stalk shall be not less than one-half inch. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading, sizing, and handling, the following tolerances, based on count, are provided: (1) For trimming, not more than five per cent of the stalks in any lot may fail to meet the trimming requirement; (2) For other defects, not more than ten per cent of the stalks in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade, provided not more than one-tenth of this amount, or one per cent, shall be allowed for stalks affected by decay; and (3) For off-size, not more than ten per cent of the stalks in any lot may fail to meet the minimum diameter specified. (c) Hawaii No. 2 (Hawaii Grade B) asparagus consist of Hawaii-grown asparagus stalks which are fresh, well trimmed, and fifty per cent or more meet the Hawaii No. 1 requirement for shape and color with the remainder not seriously misshapen or badly spread; and which are free from decay and from serious damage caused by spreading or broken tips, dirt, disease, insects, or mechanical or other means. Unless otherwise specified, the diameter of each stalk shall be not less than three-eighths inch. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading, sizing, and handling, the following tolerances, based on count, are provided: (1) For trimming, not more than ten per cent of the stalks in any lot may fail to meet the trimming requirement; (2) For other defects, not more than ten per cent of the stalks in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade, provided not more than one-tenth of this amount, or one per cent, shall be allowed for stalks affected by decay; and (3) For off-size, not more than ten per cent of the stalks in any lot may fail to meet the minimum diameter specified. §4-41- 41-22 (d) Hawaii No. 3 (Hawaii Grade C) asparagus consist of Hawaii-grown asparagus stalks which are fresh, fairly well trimmed, and not seriously misshapen or badly spread; and which are free from decay and from serious damage caused by spreading or broken tips, dirt, disease, insects, or mechanical or other means. Unless otherwise specified, the diameter of each stalk shall be not less than one-fourth inch. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading, sizing, and handling, the following tolerances, based on count, are provided: (1) For trimming, not more than ten per cent of the stalks in any lot may fail to meet the trimming requirement; (2) For other defects, not more than ten per cent of the stalks in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade, provided not more than one-tenth of this amount, or one per cent, shall be allowed for stalks affected by decay; and (3) For off-size, not more than ten per cent of the stalks in any lot may fail to meet the minimum diameter specified. [Eff 5/29/81; am and comp 8/18/83; am and comp 3/24/86] (Auth: HRS §147-4) (Imp: HRS §147-4)