The Hawaiian Islands are known across the planet for their incredible beaches and nearly 750 miles of gorgeous coastline, but most people don’t associate the Aloha State with sprawling forests. And while all of our incredible forests are enchanting, there is one breathtaking destination along Maui’s famous Hana Highway that will quickly make you feel as though you’ve entered a fairytale.

While you will find rainbow eucalyptus trees scattered across Maui, including at the Ke’anae Arboretum and just before Hana town, the most well-known grove, which is the one we’re featuring today, is found near Mile Marker 7 along the Hana Highway.
thaths/Flickr
The trees can be hard to spot in the dense rainforest, so if you want to be sure to experience this enchanting forest up close, we suggest going on a road to Hana tour. A guide can safely show you where to find these rainbow trees as well as many other hidden gems.
Thomas/Flickr
Though these trees may look as though they’ve been painted, this colorful bark is all natural. These spectacularly colored trees are called Eucalyptus Deglupta, also known as the Mindanao Gum or Rainbow gum trees.
The multi-colored streaks on its trunk results in patches of outer bark that are shed annually at different times, showing off the vibrant green inner bark.
Jim Mullhaupt/Flickr
The patches darken and mature to reveal blue, purple, orange, and maroon tones.

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The trees are native to the Phillippines but were introduced to Hawaii decades ago.
Jim Mullhaupt/Flickr
The Rainbow Eucalyptus tree was first planted in Hawaii in 1929 at Oahu’s Wahiawa Botanical Garden as part of the islands’ reforestation efforts, though it is unknown how these painted gum trees were introduced to the rainforest of Hana. Some speculate the trees were planted in the 1930s to control soil erosion due to overlogging, while others believe they were planted as a source of lumber and fuel for the sugarcane industry.
Despite their ethereal beauty and wonderful smell, these trees are still invasive and can grow an average of six feet per year.
dev2r/Flickr
The trees can reach heights of up to 200 feet in height and 95 inches in diameter.
Both Amateur and professional photographers as well as nature lovers of all kinds quickly fall in love with this one-of-a-kind destination, and it's easy to see why.
Stefan Klopp/Flickr
This painted forest is truly a sight to behold, and it should not be overlooked on your Hana Highway Road Trip.
W. Tipton/Flickr

Have you ever visited this ethereal grove of rainbow eucalyptus trees in Hawaii on the island of Maui? What about the enchanting Oahu botanical garden with bamboo groves, tropical flowers, and rainbow eucalyptus trees?

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Rainbow Trees in Hawaii

Tori Jane | July 21, 2022

Where can I find rainbow eucalyptus in Hawaii?  

Rainbow Eucalyptus trees are astonishingly beautiful and make for a wonderful setting for a hike, camping trip, or simply admiring the natural world around us. We’d call the rainbow eucalyptus trees in Hawaii wonders for sure – they're stunningly beautiful and truly unique, adding infinite amounts of wonder to our ecosystem. You can find them in a few spots in Hawaii; should you drive the scenic Hana Highway you’ll find some just past mile marker 6.5. You’ll spot some on the Oahu Dole Plantation, the Honolulu Zoo, and the Wahiawa Botanical Gardens. Of course, you’ll also see them from time to time growing along roads, or in neighborhoods. They’re part of what makes the great outdoors of Hawaii so great.  

What kinds of forests in Hawaii are there?  

Hawaii is home to several types of tropical rainforests, but in the end, they’re all exactly that: tropical rainforests. You’ll find coastal mesic forests on the windward slopes of the major islands. You’ll find mixed mesic forests on the windward slopes of the major islands, too, as well as the summit of Mount Lānaʻihale on Lānaʻi. You’ll encounter plentiful wet forests, and lots of bogs, too. Bogs can be found in areas where drainage isn’t great, but rain falls often – almost daily. Which type of forests in Hawaii are the most surprising to you?  

Where are the best places to get out into nature in Hawaii?  

Hawaii is a nature lover’s dream come true. There are so many options for getting out into nature in Hawaii, and we think you’d need a lifetime to do them all. There are more than 600 amazing hiking trails in Hawaii waiting to be explored, many of which take you to places you can’t access by car. The most amazing state parks in Hawaii are all of the state parks in Hawaii, and we think you’ll deeply regret not checking them out every time you get a chance to. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is an amazing place to truly appreciate the volcanic history of the islands, and there are plenty of breathtaking waterfalls in Hawaii to check out as well. The possibilities are only as limited as your penchance for exploration!  

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Hana Highway, Hana Hwy, Hawaii, USA