Forestter Blog

In the fast-paced digital age we live in, where information is fleeting and memories are often stored in the cloud, there exists individuals who still treasure the tangible. This is a tale of such a person. A woman who was  drawn to a newspaper article from the Honolulu Star Advertiser almost 10 years ago. Little did she know that nearly a decade later, she would embark on a heartwarming journey to the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary that had captured her imagination in 2014. ”Your dad has obviously been touching the hearts of people for a very long time. As far as me still having this… I love newspapers and I include clippings into my travel books of places I’d like to go. These articles just sit in my books until I act on them – this one took me nearly 10 years! And I’m so grateful I finally got to experience it, and see that his family is carrying on this purposeful  legacy”  Jeanne Martin-Hopkins The Clipping that Stood the Test of Time Jeanne’s journey began with a humble newspaper clipping from the Honolulu Star Advertiser back in 2014 titled, “Sanctuary encourages love, awareness of forests”. It featured a story about the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary. A Love for Newspapers In a world flooded with digital news, Jeanne has a fondness for newspapers. She cherishes their tactile nature and the nostalgia they carry as she saves them in her travel books. These clippings act as reminders of her past destinations and dreams for future ones. This particular article, elegantly explained the decades of love and passion Norman Bezona poured into the evolution of such a magical place in the Kona Cloud Forest, nestled on the slopes of Hualalai on Hawaii Island. After reading the article, she knew that she had to visit one day. A Decade-Long Dream The years passed by, and life’s obligations took precedence. Yet, the newspaper clipping remained tucked away in her travel book. It was a constant reminder of a dream deferred but not forgotten. For nearly a decade, the dream of visiting the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary lingered in the back of her mind as a testament to her unwavering spirit and love for travel. The Journey Finally, the day arrived when her dream became a reality.  While walking through the sanctuary, she was moved by the energy of the forest and could feel that Norman Bezona’s lifelong dedication to promoting the importance of preserving tropical forests had left an indelible mark on this profoundly special piece of paradise.  Jeanne’s love for newspapers had come full circle. She was able to check off another travel destination off her list and was reminded yet again that these old clippings aren’t just relics of the past but windows to future adventures. In the end, she reflected on her journey with gratitude. Her decade-long wait had been worth every moment, and she was thrilled to witness the continuation of an important legacy being carried on by Norman’s children and grandchildren. Normans Legacy Lives On The sanctuary’s lush canopies and rich biodiversity continue to flourish, offering a timeless retreat for visitors seeking solace in nature. The work of individuals like Norman Bezona and his family, whose passion and commitment were captured in the newspaper article from 2014, lives on through the sanctuary’s thriving ecosystem. This is just one of many important reminders that the legacy of environmental stewardship and the preservation of natural wonders can have a lasting impact, transcending the passage of years and inspiring generations to come. Conclusion This story of a woman who saved a newspaper cutout from 2014 is a testament to the power of dreams, determination, a love for travel, and the enduring allure of tangible memories. It reminds us that sometimes, the most rewarding journeys are the ones that take the longest to embark upon.

Cloud forests, like the Kona Cloud Forest on the west side of Hawaii Island, are in jeopardy. Global warming is one culprit, and another is land clearing for development by landowners unaware of the impact forest destruction has on the eco-system and water-supplying aquifers. Trees produce oxygen, they supply shade, and sequester carbon that would contribute to global warming. Many of Hawaii’s forests and watersheds are threatened, even with all the rhetoric about saving forests. In East Hawaii, many forest areas are subdivided into small lots of one to three acres. Unless the owners of the land commit to protecting the forested lots, they are often bulldozed and flattened. In West Hawaii, the same situation is occurring with private lands being subdivided and cleared. One example in West Hawaii is the Kaloko Mauka subdivision that sits within the Kona Cloud Forest, where we are witnessing lots being subdivided and inadvertently bulldozed, sometimes without proper permits. Much of Kaloko Mauka is still covered with native forest and remains sparsely populated. The area abounds with ancient ohia (Meterosideros polymorpha), ferns that may be over 100 years old, and rare and endangered species. It is the home of the Hawaiian hawk, apapane, iiwi, elepaio, amakihi and many other endemic and exotic birds, and it has been identified as an essential wildlife habitat and forest watershed. Many residents are committed to protecting this threatened eco-system, while some remain unaware of the devastating impact of deforestation. Thankfully there are organizations working hard to make a difference through land management plans, education, conservation and reforestation. Bottom line, the cloud forest is essential if our island is to have the rainfall and watershed needed to supply water to communities at lower elevations. County planners and organizations such as Moku o Keawe Land Conservancy (hecht.deb@gmail.com), The Nature Conservancy, Hawaii Land Trust, Outdoor Circle and many others are making an effort to encourage developers and residents to protect the forest through conservation easements and forest management plans. These programs allow landowners to dedicate portions of their land to native forest or tree crops, and for doing so they receive significant tax benefits. Some developers who are committed to forest protection are incorporating land stewardship into their development plans. They are paving the way for others to follow. There are a number of ways designate portions of a landowner’s property to forestry conservation and receive a tax benefit through the county. Not only is it vital to protect our remaining forests, but to reforest those abandoned pasture and cane lands of Hamakua, Puna, Ka‘u and Kohala with biodiverse forests, thus ensuring valuable resources for future generations. In the heart of the Kaloko Mauka subdivision, the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary has been providing educational tours, classes and workshops for nearly 40 years. It is a living classroom where people can learn about the important role of the cloud forest and the threat of human impact on this delicate ecosystem, while inspiring a greater level of respect and appreciation. Visit www.konacloudforest.com if you want to take a guided stroll through the cloud forest and learn more. We may not be able to do much about other parts of the world, but here at home, you can be part of the solution or part of the problem. Let us all work together to raise awareness and create solutions. For further information on forest planting and management, please contact University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources State Extension Forester, J.B. Friday at (808) 959-9155. Norman Bezona is professor emeritus, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.