This morning we heard from farmers on Kauai and Maui in advance of an upcoming Hemp Conference this weekend. What is the way forward? What are the barriers in the way of success? What other states have pulled out in front of Hawaii in the search for an alternative crop here in the islands now that the sun has set on sugar? What are the downsides of growing hemp? How much water does it use? Some states are wrestling with the noxious smell, or regulations that are slow to materialize.

Our guests today were:

Doug Fine, from Maui, is cultivating hemp in four other states.

Ray Maki, from Kauai, is head of the Hawaii Farmers Union United and holds a permit

Melody Heidel is the project coordinator for the University of Hawaii’s Hemp development contract with the State Agriculture Dept.