The iconic banyan tree that has stood for 150 years in the center of Lahaina on the island of Maui appears to be still standing, albeit badly charred, after a wildfire that has killed at least 36 people and destroyed large parts of the historic town.

History of the tree: The gigantic banyan tree was planted in 1873 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the town’s first Protestant mission.
* Now standing over 60 feet tall, the tree has more than 46 additional trunks beyond the original one and spans an entire city block.
* Over the years, the growth of the tree was deliberately encouraged by the residents, who used water-filled glass jars to promote the development of additional trunks from its aerial roots.

The tree’s significance: Throughout the years, the tree has been a central gathering place for community events, art exhibits, holiday tree lightings, and native Hawaiian festivals.
* The tree stands in front of the Old Lahaina Courthouse, a Greek Revival structure central to Hawaii’s history. The Courthouse was gutted by the fire and the adjacent Pioneer Inn, which opened in 1901, was also destroyed.
* Executive Director of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation, Kimberly Flook, noted the tree’s importance as a community center and wondered if it could become a symbol for reconstructions in the wake of the wildfire.

The wildfire’s damage: The devastating blaze destroyed homes, businesses, and important cultural sites in Lahaina’s historic downtown.
* The wildfire caused significant losses to Lahaina’s heritage museum housed in the Old Lahaina Courthouse, destroying invaluable artifacts from Lahaina’s monarchy, plantation, and whaling periods.
* J.B. Friday, an extension forester at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, stated that the severely charred tree is unlikely to survive.

Final note: Despite the devastation, the still-standing tree might serve as a potent symbol of Lahaina’s resilient history and hopeful future during the forthcoming rebuilding efforts.
* Flook shared her perspective, highlighting how the tree’s survival could create an “emotional touchpoint” for the community and embody “an amazing symbol”.

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