I was heading down our country road, en route to the Coldwell Banker Island Properties office in Hilo. We had finally received the much-needed rain that had evaded our island, the Hamakua Coast, and our tiny town of Paauilo for the first ten months of 2025! I have driven this road hundreds of times over the past 14 years, and I never tire of the tree-lined view. But this day, as I rounded a bend in the road, my eyes focused on the tall, slender eucalyptus trees…the sun barely shining through, and the stark contrast of the vibrant greens and golds of fresh bark on the trunks revealed by the peeling of the dark brown outer layer. It was shocking, and I felt compelled to stop and take this photo!
These eucalyptus trees, that number in the millions along the Hamakua Coast, were planted by the county after the sugar cane industry closed in the late 1990’s. The story goes that they would eventually be milled for paper. But the reality of what that would do to our air quality brought that potential industry to a halt. These lanky trees were allowed to grow and thrive in the deep soil of the Hamakua, and have only recently seen the likes of sections cleared for export to Asian countries. As a “tree hugger” it is hard for me to watch them cut, stripped, and hauled down the highway!
In the unbelievable drought of the past months, this unique eucalyptus forest has experienced numerous fires, lit by an arsonist! The most recent fire was less than two miles down the highway, requiring days of helicopter fly overs drawing water from nearby ponds (yes, a few ponds still have water!) These trees were like matchsticks just waiting to be struck to life! What a stark contrast to see them now, refreshed by the rains, shedding the old, revealing the new that lay just below.
I love these trees…almost as much as I love our Ohia forest just beyond. And I love the drive to and from our home, always appreciating these giant gems of nature!
