LAHAINA, Hawaii — When a devastating wildfire ravaged Lahaina, Maui, last August, the 151-year-old banyan tree on the historic town’s Front Street seemed lost forever. The wall of flames scorched its sprawling branches, but amazingly, the tree survived. A year later, thanks to the efforts of arborists and volunteers, parts of the banyan tree are regrowth and thriving again.

Planted in 1873 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Protestant missionaries in Lahaina, the banyan tree has significant historical value. Although not native to the Hawaiian Islands, its roots reach deep into the community’s history, dating back to before the Hawaiian Islands’ status as a U.S. territory. For millions of tourists, the tree is a beloved landmark, while for others it symbolizes the negative impact of colonial rule on Native Hawaiian land and culture.

For generations, the banyan tree served as a central gathering place along Lahaina’s waterfront. Standing over 60 feet tall and nearly an acre in size, its multiple trunks and leafy branches provided shade and became a refuge for native bird species. In the 2023 fire, it was the intense heat rather than the flames themselves that caused significant damage, drying out much of the tree and killing about half of its branches. Maui County Arborist Committee Chairman Duane Sparkman explained that once parts of the tree dried out, they were unable to recover. However, other parts showed vigorous regrowth.

Efforts to save the tree included removing dead branches to channel energy to the living parts. Fourteen sensors were implanted in the tree to monitor cambium flow, similar to a heart monitor, and the positive readings indicate a strengthening heartbeat. Future plans include installing vertical tubes filled with compost to feed the tree’s aerial roots as they grow into new, stabilizing trunks. An irrigation system is also planned to supply both the aerial roots and the surrounding land. Sparkman marvels at the sight of long branches with hundreds of leaves and even some fruit, describing the tree’s recovery as “pretty amazing.”

Last year’s Lahaina fire destroyed around 25,000 trees, including culturally significant species such as the ulu, or breadfruit tree. Only two of the dozen trees that existed in the area were spared. Sparkman, along with other arborists, farmers and landscapers, have worked tirelessly to save these vital trees. He founded a nonprofit called Treecovery, which has potted around 3,500 trees in micro-nurseries across the island, including at various hotels. These trees are available for families to replant once they return to their homes.

“We have growing centers all over the island of Maui where we can grow these trees as long as they need to. When people are ready, we can ask them to pick up the trees and plant them in their yards,” Sparkman explained. “It’s important that we do this for the families.”