Is your Christmas tree Koa? Not every tree you see on Kauai originated here, and I don't just mean the living ones. Some of the driftwood found on Kauai's shores comes from the island's own native forests, which are home to trees like ohia, koa, and hala. These trees can fall into streams and rivers, which then carry them out to sea, where they can be weathered and shaped by the ocean before washing up on the shore. Other driftwood on Kauai has traveled much farther to reach the island's shores. Ocean currents and trade winds can carry wood debris from distant lands, including other Hawaiian Islands, Asia, and even North America. This driftwood can include wood from non-native trees, as well as man-made objects like old fishing nets, boat parts, and other flotsam. Over time, the ocean's forces shape and smooth the driftwood, transforming it into the beautiful, weathered pieces that can be found on Kauai's beaches and shores.
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