Restored Banyan Tree, Charred by Lahaina Fire, Sprouts New Leaves, Fruit, Hope

Thought Question: When have you seen something in nature that made you feel hopeful or inspired?

One year after a wildfire destroyed the historic downtown of Lahaina in Maui, the town's centerpiece, a 151-year-old banyan tree, is coming back to life. For thousands of people trying to rebuild their lives, its rebirth kindles their belief that they'll be restored too. 

“It really is a phoenix from the ashes, and it just gives people hope,” Maui chief arborist Timothy Griffith told USA Today.

Griffith and many other volunteers and tree experts toiled for 12 months to save the natural landmark. But they weren’t always so sure they could pull it off. A fire had swept through the region on August 8, 2023. It killed at least 100 people. It scorched the island landscape, too. It also charred and blackened the tree. It destroyed about half of the tree's branches.   

Because of volunteer efforts, the half which remains is now thriving. The tree is growing new branches, leaves, and fruit. The crew attained this feat by aerating the soil and quenching the scorched tree with a blend of nutrients. They also constantly doused the roots with tons of water. The team also installed sensors to track sap flow. They described them as a tree “heart monitor.” 

“The heart beat’s getting stronger,” Maui County Arborist Committee Chair Duane Sparkman told The Associated Press (AP).  

Much of the town’s history is rooted in the tree’s rings. Originally only eight feet tall, it was planted in the center of Lahaina in April 1873. That's 27 years before Hawaii became a US territory. It has served at the site of many community celebrations, ranging from a birthday party for a king to marriage proposals for young couples. 

“To oversee the regrowth, it's very heartwarming to me,” Sparkman told USA Today.   

Photo of the banyan tree in Lahaina from Wikimedia Commons courtesy of Pareah7263.