Legalize hemp cultivation in Hawaii.  Save and create jobs! 

 

Aloha Hawaii residents,

My name is Tommy Callan and I am an organic farmer here on Maui providing local grocers with my product called “Maui Delicates”.  Farming is beyond satisfying for me on multiple levels and I’m grateful to be able to provide customers with quality products every week.  Some may also know me through my quirky signs called Aloha Tommy, which are available at many of the island’s gift shops.

My concern today is with Hawaii’s, specifically Maui’s, future farming operations.  As many of you know, Alexander & Baldwin will cease its sugarcane growing by year’s end; ending almost 150 years of sugar production, and move to more diversified crops.  Think about that for a moment.  Think of the numbers of multi-generational families who have been a part of this successful Hawaiian farm sugar economy and its history.  A&B has stated that 650 employees will lose their jobs due to this closure.  But the reality of this is that far more people will be affected by this closure.  For every employee there will be multiple family members effected.  Their livelihoods will certainly be more precarious as they look elsewhere for employment.  Maui already has too few jobs for its residents.

Due to this impending closure, I am compelled to begin an educational and advocacy endeavor I’m calling Hemp is Hope.  I will focus on providing information about hemp, it’s history, uses, myths, what and how other countries are successfully farming hemp, and how hemp can become a viable crop here in Hawaii to provide jobs for 1,000s of people for generations to come.

 
Prior to farming, I worked as a teacher at Maui High School and also as a recreational counselor at Maui Youth & Family Services.  During that period, I had the privilege to meet many kids and learn about their families.  Many were born here, but it seemed almost as many had moved here from other island nations.  Their families were close knit, often multi-generational, living in tight housing so as to make ends meet and save for a brighter future.  Many of these kid’s parents worked at Alexander & Baldwin in their sugar operations.  It is these kids, and these families, that my heart goes out to when I think of the A&B closure.  I feel it is the peoples of Hawaii (and specifically Maui) to be proactive and see that there is a positive change in the farming industry on Maui that will continue to support this generation and future generations of those who call themselves farmers and agricultural workers.

 
In the local news today, there is talk of the possibility of commercial hemp farming in Hawaii and specifically on the 36,000 acres of current A&B sugarcane land.  Recent and current hemp farming experimentation in Hawaii is providing a strong case that the commercial farming of hemp makes great economic sense.  Hemp’s uses are many and varied.  Sustainable bio-fuels, building materials, food sources, textiles are only the beginning.  It is our responsibility as an island nation / state to voice our desires for the legalization for a beneficially economic crop to be grown in Hawaii.  We must voice our opinion and support petitions to our state representatives and demand they fight for Hawaii’s people and their jobs, and the continued agricultural business opportunities in Hawaii.

 
Please support Hemp is Hope by signing the petition to legalize hemp cultivation in Hawaii.  Show your support to your friends and families who are agricultural workers and may be out of work soon.  Help to save their jobs and a large economic factor in the island’s economy.

 
Mahalo for your continued support,

 
Tommy Callan

Makawao farmer