Last month the historic town of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui was ravaged by wildfire. Ninety seven people died, thousands were left injured and homeless, and irreplaceable buildings and landmarks were destroyed. Residents are only now being allowed to return to what remains of their homes. The former capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom, residence of King Kamehameha I, a place of tremendous cultural and historical importance joined the tragic list of the worst, deadliest wildfires in US history. To call it devastating is an understatement.
One of the landmarks that was damaged was their beautiful, iconic banyan tree.
The tree was just eight feet tall when it was planted near Lahaina's Front Street in 1873. It was the gift of Christian missionaries in India, planted in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of Protestant missionaries from America establishing themselves in the town. In it's 150 years of life it grew to stand over sixty feet tall, and cast it's shade over a quarter mile of area. (The name Lahaina means "merciless sun". That shade had to be very welcome.) More than just a landmark, it grew to be beloved by residents and visitors alike, and the scene of countless gatherings of friends and families.
Anyone who has ever been blessed to be in the presence of a magnificent old tree knows how deeply they can affect the human heart and soul. This banyan tree is definitely one of those.
It was badly singed by the wildfires. It was not at all certain that the tree would survive. Root samples taken following the fire did offer some cause for hope. And so a coalition of local arborists, landscapers, gardeners and volunteers set to work. Compost tea, alfalfa, a very great deal of water and immeasurable TLC was applied right away, and continues. It was hoped that, if the tree could be saved, it would start showing signs of life, new growth, in three to six months.
And it appears to be working.
According to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, despite being blackened and scorched, the tree is definitely showing signs of life. They may be hard to see just yet, being so small still. And surrounded by so much damage and hurt. But they are there.
Amid so much pain and loss. The little green shoots of continuing Life appear. Little green beacons of hope.
For more information, and to donate visit lahainarestoration.org
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