A year after the devastating fire in August 2023, which ravaged Maui and severely damaged Lahaina, the town’s beloved 151-year-old Banyan Tree shows signs of resilience. The fire, which claimed over 100 lives and decimated much of the island’s landscape, left the Banyan Tree’s future uncertain. However, dedicated efforts by arborists to save the historic tree have begun to bear fruit—literally. Despite losing about half of its branches, particularly in the northeast corner, the tree has started to show new growth, with the first new leaves sprouting just two months after the fire. Arborists have worked tirelessly, nourishing the tree with water, compost, and nutrients, and monitoring its recovery with sensors that track its vital signs. This renewed growth has given hope to the community that the tree, much like the town itself, will endure and thrive once more.
While the Banyan Tree’s recovery is a positive sign, its condition remains precarious. Experts are cautiously optimistic, noting that while the tree continues to produce new growth, it is still fragile and requires ongoing care. Plans are underway to further support the tree’s recovery by installing a nutrient delivery system and an irrigation system to sustain its roots and canopy. The tree, planted in 1873 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Protestant mission in Hawai’i, has become a powerful symbol of Lahaina’s history and resilience. Its ongoing recovery offers a beacon of hope to the local community as they work to rebuild their lives and towns after the disaster.
