The Temporary Advisory Commission on Bioprospecting is planning Big Island meetings to gather public comment.

The commission will make recommendations to lawmakers on bioprospecting, or the collection of samples from plants, animals and micro-organisms to search for commercially valuable biochemical or genetic resources.

The meetings will be Tuesday at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo Classroom Building Room 100; and in Kona Wednesday at Hanama Place in the Mayor's Conference Room. Both meetings start at 6 p.m.

For information, call Yuko Chiba at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs at 808-594-1820.