Opinion ID: 1219081
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Look Laboratory Visit

Text: MKPC contends that BLNR members improperly considered sources outside the record, when on July 13, 1989, board members made an independent visit to the Look Laboratory. Thus, MKPC urges reversal of the BLNR decision denying their Conservation District Use Application. Hawai`i Revised Statutes (HRS) § 91-9(g) (1985) provides that [n]o matters outside the record shall be considered by the agency in making its decision except as provided herein. Accordingly, administrative agencies may not consult sources outside the record when acting in an adjudicatory capacity. Waikiki Shore, Inc. v. Zoning Bd. of Appeals, 2 Haw.App. 43, 625 P.2d 1044 (1981); Town v. Land Use Comm'n, 55 Haw. 538, 524 P.2d 84 (1974). Where an agency consults outside sources, the right of a party to cross-examine those sources and present rebuttal evidence is violated. Id. at 549, 524 P.2d at 91. However, where an agency conducts further proceedings such as a rehearing, and affords the parties the opportunity to cross-examine the outside source and to present rebuttal evidence, the improper effect of the agency consulting sources outside the record may be cured. See Waikiki Shore, 2 Haw. App. at 45, 625 P.2d at 1046 (court held that where agency consulted an outside source after the hearing was closed without giving the opposing party an opportunity to rebut, the agency decision should be vacated). In the present case, members of the BLNR consulted an outside source after the contested case hearing was concluded. However, prior to the final agency decision, the BLNR conducted a rehearing to provide MKPC the opportunity to cross-examine Dr. Krock of the Look Laboratory and to present rebuttal evidence. Therefore, while the BLNR improperly consulted outside sources, the violation was cured by the subsequent rehearing proceeding. [2]