A pilot program to grow Industrial Hemp locally is moving forward, in part, to address the end of sugar production on Maui. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka has this update.
Wayne Yoshioka is an award-winning journalist who has worked in television, print and radio in Hawaiʻi. He also has been on both sides of politics as a state departmental appointee and political/government reporter. He covered Hurricane Iwa (1982) as a TV reporter; was the State Department of Defense/Civil Defense spokesperson for Hurricane Iniki (1992); and, commanded a public affairs detachment in Afghanistan (2006). He has a master's degree in Communication from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is a decorated combat veteran (Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and 22 other commendation/service medals). He resides in Honolulu.
There are a handful of bills dealing with industrial hemp before the state legislature this session. Some lawmakers are looking at ways to help 675 Maui…