OUR STORY
Experience This Unique Hawaiian Tropical Cloud Forest
About the Kona Cloud Forest
Discovered in 1982, the initial 15 acres of what became known as the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, was a vestige of one of Hawai’i island’s oldest and largest ranches. Damaged by nearly a century of grazing cattle and more recently pigs, it had strayed far from its pristine native forest origins.
Like an artist with a blank canvas, Norman Bezona saw this as an opportunity to integrate his tropical horticulture expertise and love for tropical ecosystems to revitalize this portion of the sacred Kona Cloud Forest and demonstrate that reforestation is possible within a few decades.
With a strong heart connection to the land and all that it represents, Norman sparked a dream. What originated as one man’s personal passion project has evolved into a multi-generational family kuliana (responsibility), and is carried on today by his daughter and grandchildren.
Strategic Partnerships
Norman worked closely with his colleagues at the University of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Division of Forestry and Wildlife, the International Palm Society, the American Bamboo Society, family and friends, horticulture experts and many volunteers to reforest the 15 acre sanctuary and reclaim it as a thriving cloud forest ecosystem.
Mission
Our mission is to inspire a sense of connection, consciousness, and collective responsibility for the preservation and restoration of forest ecosystems globally.
What is a Tropical Cloud Forest?
What emerged is a thriving cloud forest, distinguished by majestic canopy trees soaring to heights over 100 feet, and a rich tapestry of plants, encompassing an array of Hawaiian native and endemic species, as well as a diverse selection of palms, bamboo, ferns, conifers, cycads and epiphytes.
What is a Tropical Cloud Forest?
We express our gratitude for the generous plant contributions from our collaborators, which included a deliberate selection of canopy-forming trees that played a pivotal role in establishing the foundation for the cloud forest.
As these trees matured and extended their canopy, they fostered the resurgence of sub-canopy plants and trees. The sanctuary is a showcase for harmonious diversity that encompasses native, endemic, and global species. This lush habitat has regained an abundance of Hawaiian honeycreepers (‘apapane), the Hawaiian hawk (‘io), the owl (pueo), and the hoary bat.
The restored cloud forest reclaimed its role in providing water to the aquifer, shade for our lower level coffee plantations, and habitat for our endangered wildlife.