I have been "actively" collecting palms since 1995 or about 6 years. I may have planted a few before that but wasn't really "collecting" at the time. I live in the United States, in the state of Hawai`i, on the island of O`ahu. |
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The North East Trade Winds blow moisture collected from the Pacific Ocean and bring it to our lovely island. My college geology professor taught us that cool air can not hold as much moisture as warm air. As the winds blow across the island from right to left on the above map they are forced to rise when they contact the Ko`olau Mountains. These mountains tops range approximately from 2000 feet to 3000 feet above sea level. Thus the windward side of the island and the Ko`olau Mountains are very wet. The mountains are covered in rain forests. What moisture left continues across the island and strike the Wai`anae Mountains. Here the rest of the moisture drops. The Waianaes are higher than the Koolaus with Mount Ka`ala reaching to 4025 feet. The winds that blow down from Ka`ala to my home in Wai`anae Valley are quite dry most of the time. Believe it or not, I live in a desert. |
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