Young Brothers Ltd.’s application to raise interisland shipping rates will be the subject of a series of Public Utilities Commission hearings to be held this month and next around the state.

Young Brothers is seeking the PUC’s approval for a rate hike ranging from 14 percent to 38.7 percent depending on the type of cargo being shipped. The increase would generate an additional $14.4 million in revenue for Young Brothers. The company has said it needs the increase to provide the company a reasonable profit amid cargo volume declines and new competition from Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines.

The hearing schedule is as follows:
–July 25, 6 p.m.,  Maui Waena Intermediate School Cafeteria, 795 Onehee Ave., Kahului;
–July 26, 6 p.m., Lanai High & Elementary School Cafeteria, 555 Fraser Ave., Lanai City;
–July 27, 6 p.m., Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, 465 S. King Street, Honolulu;
–July 28, 6 p.m., Mitchel Pauole Center Conference Room, 90 Ainoa St., Kaunakakai;
–Aug. 1, 4 p.m., Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, 4191 Hardy St., Lihue;
–Aug. 2, 9 a.m., Hawaii State Building, 75 Aupuni St., Hilo;
–Aug. 2, 4 p.m., West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Keohokaloe Hwy, Kailua-Kona.
For more information, call the PUC at 586-2020.