Yes there is/was a person in Santa Monica, very close to the ocean, fruiting paw paw. That was Margaret Frane. (I believe she was one of the officers in West LA group of CRFG.) She wrote me this letter several years ago. There were photos attached of trees with lots of fruits. I can post the photos later if people want?
BTW, i think Ed Self, forum member in Texas, also grows paw paws?
From Margaret Frane:
Hi Oscar
I grow several paw paws. However the two that I get fruit from are the Davis (definitely the best tasting) and the Sunflower (the most prolific.) Both varieties are Asimina triloba. I've tasted northern paw paws and admit they are better than mine. However, the Davis is quite good and I enjoy both varieties. I got both from a friend (who was moving) in 2002, when they were probably around 5 years old. Then it took another 2 years for them to establish and begin to fruit. I'll try to get hold of the friend and ask her where she originally got the paw paws (Betsy Young - she's elderly and doesn't have email). The ones I ordered from Burnt Ridge Nursery have not done terribly well.
The Davis needs the Sunflower for pollination. The Sunflower is touted to be self-pollinating but I can't really say as I've always had both. If I hand pollinated, I would probably get more fruit. However, I don't and I seem to do fine. Next year I may try to hand pollinate the Davis and see if I can get more production from the tree.
I attached some pictures. My other varieties are quite young (obtained at about 4 inches tall in 2008).They are slow growers and are still under 2 feet tall with no sign of fruit yet; some died. On the other hand, 2 year old cuttings from the Sunflower are already fruiting and about three feet tall!
I don't know if Hawaii would let you bring them in, but I'd be happy to try to make cutting of the Davis and Sunflower for you. The cuttings can be tricky but I've succeeded in the past.
I live in Santa Monica about 2 1/2 miles from the water. We get, at most, 100 hours of chill. The varieties not doing so well are Overleese, SusquHene, Taytwo, and Wells.
By the way, I am now growing cherries too - real ones!! Dave Wilson Nursery has a Minnie Royal and Royal Lee that can rival the Bing in taste. If you prefer, they also have a Royal Rainier. I have all three and they produce well. The Minnie Royal and Royal Lee pollinate each other; I'm not sure what pollinates the Royal Rainier, as it comes in later!
Margaret/Marjane