When required by law, the commission shall hold a contested case hearing upon its own motion or on the written petition of any government agency or any interested person who is properly admitted as a party pursuant to section 13-167-54. Unless specifically prescribed in this chapter or by chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the commission may adopt procedures that in its opinion will best serve the purposes of the hearings. Where required by law, a public hearing shall be held prior to the contested case hearing.
Haw. Code R. § 13-167-51