There are thousands of species of bamboos, palms, rhododendrons, orchids and bromeliads found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Many do best when grown in the cool, wet climate of cloud forests. More species grow on Hawaii Island than anywhere else in the United States, thanks to the efforts of the American Bamboo Society, International Palm Society Hawaii Island chapters, Hawaii Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society and local nurseries. These plants are used to beautify the landscape but are also grown for food and health; heart of palm, acai palm fruit and bamboo shoots are examples.
There are thousands of species of bamboos, palms, rhododendrons, orchids and bromeliads found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Many do best when grown in the cool, wet climate of cloud forests. More species grow on Hawaii Island than anywhere else in the United States, thanks to the efforts of the American Bamboo Society, International Palm Society Hawaii Island chapters, Hawaii Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society and local nurseries. These plants are used to beautify the landscape but are also grown for food and health; heart of palm, acai palm fruit and bamboo shoots are examples.
The Bamboo Society is presenting an educational meeting March 10 at the 70-acre Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary in Kaloko Mauka. The event includes a potluck; bring your favorite dish. After lunch, there will be a presentation on bamboo and then a tour. The sanctuary is three miles up Kaloko Drive. Turn right at the third intersection of Hao and Kaloko. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Jacqui Marlin at goddessofchaos1@icloud.com or 966-5080.
Many of Hawaii’s native forests and watersheds are threatened. The Kaloko cloud forest is one of the most accessible native forests in West Hawaii, but it is being developed for agriculture and residential activities.
Kaloko Mauka subdivision is a 2,000-acre forest area on the western slope of Hualalai volcano above Kailua-Kona. Lot sizes vary from 1 to 40 acres. It runs from Mamalahoa Highway at 1,500 feet elevation to nearly 6,000 feet above sea level. Much of Kaloko Mauka is still covered with native forest. Although it is sparsely populated, the residents’ gardens are a mix of heliconias, hydrangeas and hoawa, calatheas, camellias and kopiko. The area abounds with ancient koa, ohia and tree ferns, some of which are 30 feet or more in height. These ferns may be more than 100 years old. The native forest contains many rare and endangered species that many residents are committed to protecting through the Hawaii Forest Stewardship Program. This program allows residents to manage their properties to enhance this unique watershed. It is administered through the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Forestry Division.
In the heart of the subdivision, Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary has been set aside for protecting and testing native trees, palms, tree ferns and other plants. Observations are made as to their adaptability for reforestation, agricultural and landscape use.
The sanctuary serves to protect and preserve native plants and animals. Nonindigenous plant materials are also tested for their ability to not displace native plants but exist in harmony, adding fruit, fragrance and color where desired.
Kaloko Mauka is also influenced by the balmy Kona climate. It is the home of the Hawaiian hawk, apapane, iiwi and other endemic and exotic birds. Cloud forests differ from tropical rain forests in that a substantial amount of precipitation is derived from mists that condense on the trees and drip to the forest floor. When trees are removed, rainfall decreases substantially. Much of Kaloko Mauka has been identified as essential wildlife habitat and forest watershed. It is the goal of many residents of Kaloko Mauka to prove they can live in harmony with the forest and still have homes and forest friendly agriculture. This is essential if West Hawaii is to have the rainfall and water needed to supply communities at lower elevations.
Kona is protected from trade winds and excessive rainfall. With no trade winds, rainfall and temperatures are primarily influenced by on-shore breezes during the day. This creates a summer wet-winter dry effect similar to the Caribbean, and is ideally suited for coffee, macadamia and tropical forest production.
Rainfall occurs each afternoon from April through October, with the region receiving occasional precipitation from storms November through March. Rainfall varies with elevation; Kailua-Kona averages 30 inches annual precipitation. At 3,000 feet elevation in Kaloko Mauka, rainfall averages 75 inches a year. Temperatures also vary dramatically. In Kailua-Kona, the typical summer day high may reach 88 degrees while the temperature at 3,000 feet average 75 degrees. These mild climactic conditions are ideal for semitropical plants.
Bamboo species like the giant Dendrocalamus asper and Dendrocalamus brandesii reach heights of over 100 feet. The sanctuary is well-suited to mountain cloud forest palm species, yet there are no native palms in the area. The endemic Pritchardia affinis is found as isolated specimens in Kona up to about 1,500 feet elevation. The Pritchardia schattaueri is found at 2,000 feet at Honomolino and Pritchardia beccariana grows at 4,000 feet elevation on the east slope of Mauna Loa. All native Pritchardias tested at the sanctuary have done well. It is possible grazing animals in the forests destroyed Pritchardia species that may have existed.
For a fun Sunday outing, join the Hawaii Chapter of the Bamboo Society. You might even go home with a rare bamboo.