The Board of Water Supply meets for two public hearings on proposed water rate changes for agricultural users at 6 p.m. May 4 in Hilo and 6 p.m. May 5 at King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, the Hawaii Tribune Herald reports.

The first option being considered implements an increase for ag users, from the current $0.85 per 1,000 gallons to $0.92 gallons starting July 1, then to $1.69 per 1,000 gallons in 2014.

Under that plan, general users would also have graduated rate increases. Those users in the first block would see rates increase 6 cents this year, to $0.81 per 1,000 gallons, then an additional 6 cents to $0.87 per 1,000 gallons in 2014. Those users in the three larger use categories would see rates increase 12 cents per 1,000 gallons this year, then another 2 cents by 2014.

The second option, which includes no increases for ag users, would raise rates 6 cents for the first block of users and 12 cents for other users this year. The lowest usage rate would go up another 6 cents by 2014. The second block would increase 2 cents by 2014, while the two highest rate groups would see increases of 27 cents and 35 cents per 1,000 gallons.