The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation yesterday expressed concerns about Young Brothers Ltd.'s proposal to discontinue its "less than container load" service to and from Kahului Harbor next year, saying the proposed change would hurt Neighbor Island farmers.

Young Brothers, Hawai'i's largest interisland cargo provider, has asked for state Public Utilities Commission permission to discontinue the service Jan. 1. The company said it won't have enough room at the harbor to offer the service when the state reallocates 23 percent of its existing Kahului facility early next year to prepare for Hawaii Superferry operations.

That would mean smaller shippers would need to use freight consolidators. The Hawaii Farm Bureau said that will bring higher expenses and shipping delays for farmers and ranchers, and asked the PUC that it be included in hearings and discussions relating to the proposal. The PUC will hold public hearings state-wide and will make a decision later this year.

Young Brothers and Hawaii Farm Bureau officials, however, met yesterday and said they plan to continue discussions.

"We are talking with them, and we are trying to work it out," said Hawaii Farm Bureau executive director Alan Takemoto. "They said they will help us and work with us to try and ease the transition."

Young Brothers president Glenn Hong said the company and the farm bureau had a good discussion.

"We need to see if we can come to any resolution on any of the issues that they have," he said.

Hong has said discontinuing the less-than-container-load service is the only viable option to ensure Maui's cargo needs are met and that he doesn't expect any significant delays from using freight consolidators. The company has also said continuing the service with reduced space would increase costs, raise safety issues and cause sailing delays or cancellations.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.