LAHAINA, Hawaii — When a deadly wildfire ravaged Lahaina on Maui last August, it seemed the 151-year-old banyan tree along the historic town’s Front Street might be lost forever. The wall of flames scorched its sprawling branches, but remarkably, the tree survived. One year later, thanks to the dedication of arborists and volunteers, parts of the banyan tree are growing back and thriving.
The banyan tree, planted in 1873 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Protestant missionaries in Lahaina, holds significant historical value. Although not indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands, its roots extend deep into the community’s history, predating the Hawaiian Islands’ status as a U.S. territory. For millions of tourists, the tree is a beloved icon, while for others, it symbolizes the adverse effects of colonial rule on Native Hawaiian land and culture.
For generations, the banyan tree served as a central gathering place along Lahaina’s waterfront. Its towering presence, over 60 feet high and spanning nearly an acre, with multiple trunks and leafy branches, provided shade and became a sanctuary for local bird species. During the 2023 fire, the intense heat rather than the flames themselves caused significant damage, drying out much of the tree and resulting in the death of about half of its branches. The Maui County Arborist Committee’s chair, Duane Sparkman, explained that once sections of the tree desiccated, recovery was impossible for those parts. However, other sections have shown robust regrowth.
Efforts to save the tree included removing dead branches to direct energy to the living parts. Fourteen sensors were implanted in the tree to monitor the flow of cambium, akin to a heart monitor, and the positive readings indicate a strengthening heartbeat. Future plans involve installing vertical tubes filled with compost to nourish the tree’s aerial roots as they grow into new stabilizing trunks. An irrigation system is also planned to support both the aerial roots and the surrounding land. Sparkman marvels at the sight of long branches with hundreds of leaves and even some fruits, describing the tree’s recovery as “pretty amazing.”
Lahaina’s fire last year destroyed around 25,000 trees, including culturally significant species like the ulu, or breadfruit tree, sparing only two of the dozen that existed in the area. Sparkman, along with other arborists, farmers, and landscapers, has been working tirelessly to save these vital trees. He founded a nonprofit called Treecovery, which has potted around 3,500 trees in micro-nurseries across the island, including at various hotels. These trees will be available for families to replant once they return to their homes.
“We have grow hubs all over the island of Maui to grow these trees out for as long as they need. So when the people are ready, we can have them come pick these trees up and they can plant them in their yards,” Sparkman explained. “It’s important that we do this for the families.”
