Another cash crop ADVERTISING Another cash crop Regarding the front-page article about hemp (“Conference to spotlight ‘miracle crop,’ Tribune-Herald, June 5): We all know Hawaii is an agricultural island and grower’s paradise that does not produce even 20 percent of
Another cash crop
Regarding the front-page article about hemp (“Conference to spotlight ‘miracle crop,’ Tribune-Herald, June 5):
We all know Hawaii is an agricultural island and grower’s paradise that does not produce even 20 percent of its own food. That said, it is interesting to see the burgeoning hemp putsch, which seems to have begun in earnest during the 2016 Hawaii Farmers Union United convention in Hilo (where state Rep. Tulsi Gabbard spoke).
We lack some of the most basic of legislation for local, sustainable agriculture and food production (cottage industry laws, for instance) and effective enforcement regarding laws for the sale of value-added ag products (no inspectors to check unpermitted roadside laulau purveyors on weekends or, at night markets, food vendors with unknown sanitation habits and food safety training). Yet, we are recently — and increasingly, it would seem — focused on promoting the use of our fertile soils for the pursuit not of greater food security, but profits from another cash crop (this one being pushed by mainland interests, no less).
Yes, if realized, a hemp revolution here would put some money in some pockets, and I’d be one of the first in line to buy edible hemp seed and any clothing (though most of the materials will likely be exported, I’ll wager).
At the same time, hemp — while taking up land that could be used to grow victuals — will not help fill empty bellies, put better, more nutrient-dense foods on local tables or shore up our food security any more than coffee, cacao, tea, mac nuts or ornamental plants currently do.
John Atwell
Kurtistown
