I've never even been to Hawaii, but below is a link to a "google doc" from the Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Hawaii that may have some useful info. The plants listed for "Zone 1" in this document are the most wind-tolerant. You would have to "google" each plant to see what kind of sun or shade each one needs, as it doesn't specify light conditions preferred. My feeling is that you'll have the best of luck with a native/indigenous Hawaiian plant, since they will be the best adapted to the wind, salt spray and general climate of beautiful Hawaii. The native plants are the ones with the lower-case "n" next to their names in the document. Here is a link that might be useful: Salt & wind tolerance of landscape plants for Hawaii

Thanks Chris - most of the photos are right on the money except maybe the seedling stage. I don't recall them ever looking like that but always feathery. I'm going to keep them. They don't spread fast at all and the USDA site said they provide cover for small mammals and birds. Funny I have other Eupatorium (Joe Pye Weed) planted right behind them. Such diversity in form.

In time, Viburnum Dentatum will produce a thick barrier. Might take 5 years, depending on how big you purchase. Even though the leaves fall in the winter, it is thick! It will reduce, not eliminate those winds. Added feature is the it blooms in the spring and, if cross pollinated, great berries for the birds in the summer. Jim

Nothing tree-like :-) Here, bearded iris are in bloom around Mother's Day - early May. The crabapple will have already bloomed and should/will be in full leaf by then. I can't think of many trees that would not be.