The future is here — but how long will it last?

Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV) is called Mirai, which translates as “future.” Servco Pacific Inc. will start leasing FCVs at the end of the month. Hydrogen’s early adopters here at least will be able to keep the car running: Hawaii’s first public refueling station has just been built.

Currently costs make them less accessible than EVs, and a single station won’t level the playing field. California has a budding network, which is why sales have topped 5,000. Hawaii often follows California’s lead, so who knows?

Hemp, hemp, hooray for industrial pilot program

Hawaii’s first licensed hemp growers have the go-ahead to grow. After years of wrangling over access to seeds (hemp is classified as an illegal drug under federal law), the state’s Industrial Hemp Pilot Program now has three farmers set to sow the fibrous plant on 10-acre sites.

Hemp’s tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels are significantly lower than those in marijuana. Even so, the farmers must have at the ready lab plans for testing of the psychoactive component. The pilot is focused on producing a crop that supplies emerging industrial demands, such as those for construction materials (hempcrete). Harvests are expected in three to six months.