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The two announced candidates for the Kihei state House District 11 present themselves so far without a clear vision for Kihei's future. The vision needs to be based on what has already been established in our community plan, Kihei 2000, and the South Maui Parks and Open Space Master Plan.
Additional refinement was added by the regular polling of the voters by Rep. Kaniela Ing in his legislative newsletters and the continuous participation by the Kihei Community Association in educating the community about viable options for an economic future for South Maui without cane fields, the main one seeming to be hemp.
Hemp has been identified by the state as the best soil restoration for the depleted cane fields. Rep. Ing introduced legislation to allow counties to ask the state for a permit for hemp farming, joining nine other states that already have. The many hemp products including food, fuel, clothing, construction materials and medicine, among many others, can be produced by small businesses that are the core of our economy.
The Kihei-based Hawaii Hemp Institute can be an excellent resource. Full support for the recent petition to A&B for 15 percent of the fallow cane lands for organic farming.
We are on the brink of the opportunity to guide our own destiny. We need leaders that will facilitate our own vision.
Yes, Kihei cannabis!
Joseph Morairty
Kihei