Can Maui's Iconic Banyan Tree Be Saved?
To date, 55 people have been killed in fires that have devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui. In addition to the lives lost, the fires have destroyed countless homes, stores and potentially even a 150-year-old banyan tree that has been revered for decades by residents and visitors alike.
It's unclear how badly damaged the tree, which was planted in 1873, truly is. However, a number of people are already worried about the future of the tree. Twitter user HawaiiDelilah wrote, "There is nothing that has made me cry more today than the thought of the Banyan Tree in my hometown of Lahaina. We will rebuild, and the natural beauty of Maui will be forever."
The historic tree has been important to generations of people, and will hopefully continue to be. Here is what we know about Maui's banyan tree.
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How big is the banyan tree in Maui?
The banyan tree in Lahaina Town is one of the largest in the world and spans the size of one full city block. CNN reports that the tree is more than 60 feet tall and has 46 other trunks in addition to the central one.
Where did Maui's banyan tree come from?
The tree was a gift from India, and was planted in Lahaina Town in 1873, well before the country of Hawaii was colonized by the United States, and 70 years after King Kamehameha named Lahaina the capital of the Hawaiian kingdom.
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Did Maui's banyan tree burn in the fire?
The iconic banyan tree was scorched in the devastating fires that destroyed much of Lahaina. James B. Friday, a forester who works at the University of Hawaii, told the New York Times that things look grim for the tree.
He said, "It certainly doesn’t look like that tree is going to recover."
What does the banyan tree symbolize?
The tree has been important to generations of Hawaiians who live in Lahaina and beyond. Maui resident Amy Fuqua told the Associated Press in 2016, "It’s kind of the center of town. Everyone knows where it’s at. It has an important significance to the town and it feels good under there."
Maui resident John Sandbach echoed this sentiment while speaking to The Guardian. He said, "There’s just so much meaning attached to it and there’s so many experiences that everyone has. It’s in the heart of a historic town."
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