The public will get a chance next week to weigh in on the revised political maps proposed by the state Reapportionment Commission.

The commission on Wednesday unanimously approved sending the new plans out into the community for a Feb. 21 public hearing on the Big Island and a Feb. 22 hearing on Oahu.

Some community members objected to the plans, which replace maps that were deemed unconstitutional by the Hawaii Supreme Court following two court challenges. The court ordered the commission to remove non-permanent residents from the base population, which reapportionment staff said Wednesday amounted to nearly 109,000 military personnel, their dependents, and out-of-state university students.

Commission Chairwoman Victoria Marks made clear that the proposed plans are still drafts at this point. The panel voted to allow its so-called Technical Committee — a subgroup of members who do the actual drawing behind closed doors — to make changes “if necessary and if appropriate” following the public hearings.

The commission will reconvene on Feb. 27 and 29 to adopt a final plan. From there, the Office of Elections has two weeks to publish the plan.

Read a related story  about the incumbent lawmakers affected by the new maps.

— Nanea Kalani