HAR §4-41-50. Standards for Hawaii-grown green onions

(a) As used in this section: "Damage" means any of the following specific defects, or an equally objectionable variation of any one of these defects, any other defect, or any combination of defects, which materially detracts from the appearance, or the edible or shipping quality of the green onion: (1) Bent, broken, or bruised leaves, when materially affecting appearance; or (2) Clipping, when more than half the leaves on a plant are clipped or pinched back beyond the tip but not to the extent that appearance is seriously affected. When the tops of all the onions have been evenly clipped back to a fairly uniform length and the designation "clipped tops" is specified in connection with the grade, such onions shall not be considered as damaged. "Diameter" means the greatest dimension of the stem taken at right angles to the longitudinal axis. "Fairly clean" means the onion is reasonably free from dirt or other foreign matter. "Fairly well formed" means the onion is not more than slightly curved, angular, crooked, or otherwise slightly misshapen. "Fairly well trimmed" means the stalk is not broken or cut above the point of root attachment, and is reasonably free from dead, discolored, or slick outer skin. "Fresh" means the onion is not more than slightly wilted or withered. "Good green color" means the tops have a normal green color characteristic of healthy plants. Slight discoloration of the extreme tips and slight scarring caused by thrips shall be permitted. §4-41- 41-95 "Serious damage" means any defect or combination of defects which seriously detracts from the appearance, or the edible or shipping quality of the green onion. "Similar varietal characteristics" means the onions in any lot are alike as to color, shape, and character of growth. "Tender" means the onion is not tough, stringy, or advanced to the stage where the stalk is flabby. (b) Hawaii No. 1 (Hawaii Grade A) green onion consists of Hawaii-grown green onions of similar varietal characteristics which are fresh, with good green color, tender, fairly well formed, fairly clean, and fairly well trimmed; and which are free from decay and from damage caused by clipping, bent, broken, or bruised leaves, insects, worm droppings, disease, or mechanical or other means. Stalk diameter shall be not less than one-fourth inch. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading, sizing, and handling, not more than ten per cent, by weight or count, of the green onions in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade, provided not more than one-half of this amount, or five per cent, shall be allowed for green onions seriously damaged by any cause, including not more than one per cent for green onions affected by decay. (c) Percentages of defects shall be calculated on a weight basis. However, for bunched green onions where the bunches in the lot are fairly uniform in size, percentages may be calculated on a count basis with each bunch representing a unit. [Eff 5/29/81; am and comp 8/18/83; am and comp 3/24/86] (Auth: HRS §147-4) (Imp: HRS §147-4)