This tropical oasis was once deforested pasture land! Exploring Hawaii’s Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary

In this episode, our family explores Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, 70 acres of protected forest land along the slopes of Mt. Hualālai on the Big Island's leeward side. Watch as we trek through this old-growth native forest, interspersed with a diversity of tropical foliage - an incredible oasis that was once deforested pasture land less than a half-century ago!
Our guide Drew, the grandson of the University of Hawaii professor responsible for the forest's restoration, was extremely knowledgable about all the plants we encountered along our journey... far too many to count or for me to remember! We left the forest feeling internally restored and totally inspired!
Next time your in Kona be sure to check this place out... you can actually feel the energy of the forest!
Native forests are Hawaii's first line of defense against degrading water quality and dwindling ecological diversity. It's important for both humans and native wildlife that we work together to protect these very special places on our incredible planet!
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More on the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary: www.konacloudf...
More on Hawaii's forests: www.nature.org...