Stories Under the Koa Tree
Welcome to the tropical literary world of L.R. Rodrigues, where every page unfolds like a vibrant hibiscus flower, revealing tales of nature, adventure, and the magic found in the heart of the forest.
About the Author
Discover the mind behind the stories
Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Ms. Rodrigues now resides in Colorado. As a child, she relished the island life, spending her long summer days at the beach, playing with her neighborhood friends, and exploring her garden.
As a teenager, she was captivated by the natural beauty of the island and began photographing scenic landscapes with a simple point-and-shoot camera, especially during her leisurely walks along the beach at sunset.
Her first attempt at formal writing came towards the end of her junior year in high school. Her English/Journalism teacher appointed her as the Editor-in-Chief of the school’s newspaper. Initially, she thought the teacher had made a mistake because her strongest subject was math, but she persevered and learned how much she enjoyed writing stories about her experiences.
For over 25 years, Ms. Rodrigues had a successful career in Human Resources and Payroll, with her last job being at the city’s newspaper company where she developed a deep fondness for print media. Her dream was to someday own her own magazine company, and her closest attempt was her extensive scrapbook pages.
Ms. Rodrigues fulfilled a life-long dream when she published her first children’s book titled “Under the Koa Tree.” She currently has a modest collection of children’s books, primarily Hawaiian and Native-American themed stories. Now, she can proudly add her own book to her shelf. She hopes to continue writing children’s books and eventually publish a series. Stay tuned!
When she’s not writing, you might find her (or not find her) on a remote road trip with her husband and her camera.
Just like the story in “Under the Koa Tree,” a young gecko embarked on an unexpected journey across the Big Island of Hawai’i. It was a journey filled with exploration and encounters with wonderful people. The story is based on the same route that was taken by Ms. Rodrigues and her husband during their honeymoon.
From the initial pencil scribbles on paper to the completion of the manuscript, this book was a bittersweet project. While writing the pages, Ms. Rodrigues was accompanied by her family and friends on a heartfelt journey to honor their beloved Troy and Morganne.