LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — When a deadly wildfire tore through Lahaina on Maui last August, it scorched the 151-year-old banyan tree along the historic town's Front Street. Despite the flames, the tree survived, and thanks to the efforts of arborists and dedicated volunteers, parts of it are growing back and thriving.
One year after the fire, here's what to know about the banyan tree and the efforts to restore it.
**Why is Lahaina's banyan tree significant? **
The banyan tree is the oldest living one on Maui, though it is not native to the Hawaiian Islands. It was a gift from India, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first Protestant missionaries in Lahaina. Planted in 1873, the tree predates Hawaii's status as a U.S. territory and King Kamehameha's declaration of Lahaina as his kingdom's capital.
The tree is beloved by millions of tourists who have visited Maui, serving as a gathering place along Lahaina’s waterfront. Towering more than 60 feet high and spanning nearly an acre, it has been the heart of the oceanside community. Its leafy branches offer shade, and its aerial roots, which dangle from its boughs, eventually become new trunks, creating a roosting place for birds.
**What happened during the fire? **
The 2023 fire charred the tree and blackened many of its leaves. According to Duane Sparkman, chair of the Maui County Arborist Committee, it was the intense heat rather than the flames that dried out much of the tree. About half of the tree's branches died due to this loss of moisture.
“Once that section of the tree desiccated, there was no coming back,” Sparkman said. However, other parts of the tree are now growing back healthily.
**How was it saved? **
Restoration efforts involved removing dead branches so the tree's energy could be directed to the living branches. Fourteen sensors were installed to monitor the flow of cambium, or sap, through its branches, effectively acting as a heart monitor.
Sparkman said plans are in place to install vertical tubes containing compost to support the tree's aerial roots as they grow down toward the ground, providing key nutrients. An irrigation system will also feed small drops of water into the tubes and the surrounding canopy to help stabilize the roots.
“You see a lot of long branches with hundreds of leaves back on the tree,” Sparkman said, noting that some branches are even producing fruit. “It’s pretty amazing to see that much of the tree come back.”
**What other trees were destroyed in the fire? **
Sparkman estimates that Lahaina lost about 25,000 trees in the fire, including fruit trees and culturally significant trees like the ulu or breadfruit tree. Of the dozen or so breadfruit trees, all but two were charred.
Since the blaze, arborists, farmers, and landscapers have been working to save these culturally important trees. Before colonialism, commercial agriculture, and tourism, thousands of breadfruit trees dotted Lahaina.
To aid in the restoration, Sparkman founded the nonprofit Tree covary. The group has potted around 3,500 trees, growing them in “micro-nurseries” across the island until residents can return to their homes.
“We have grown 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 said. “It's important that we do this for the families.”
0 Comments