How Did the Lahaina Banyan Tree Survive Maui’s Fires?

In August 2023, devastating fires affected the island of Maui in Hawaii. Over 100 people died as a direct result of the blaze that swept through Lahaina on August 8. During this firestorm, more than 80 percent of the historic town of Lahaina burned to the ground. Did the huge banyan tree in town survive? How did the Lahaina Banyan Tree survive Maui’s fires?

What Is the Lahaina Banyan Tree?

The Lahaina Banyan Tree is an Indian banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) that is 60 feet tall and over 150 years old. It grows in Lahaina Banyan Court Park which is also known as Lahaina Courthouse Square. The tree survived the wildfires that swept through Maui in August 2023.

It was planted by the mayor as a small sapling standing just 8 feet tall in 1873 after being imported from India. Its original planting was part of a celebration that marked the 50th anniversary of Protestantism in the area.

This particular banyan tree is the largest in the United States and one of the largest of its kind in the world. It covers almost 2 acres and has sixteen trunks laid out within its coverage area of a quarter of a mile. It’s located in downtown Lahaina between Wharf Street and Front Street and takes up an entire city block.

On April 24, 2023, the Banyan Tree celebrated its one hundred and fiftieth birthday. Less than 5 months later, it burned along with almost all of Lahaina.

How Did the Lahaina Banyan Tree Survive the Fires?

The Lahaina Banyan Tree survived Maui’s fires because the fire burned hottest over the top of the tree. The flames underneath the enormous arms of the tree didn’t do as much damage as they could have.  

Almost everything around the tree did not survive the devastating fire, though most of the benches under the tree were in a surprisingly recognizable condition. This also shows that the fire underneath the tree wasn’t as hot as the surrounding fire.

The walls of the Old Lahaina Courthouse right next to the tree remain, but the building is otherwise destroyed. By mid-September 2023, the historic banyan tree was sprouting despite being scorched during the blaze.

Why We Know the Lahaina Banyan Tree Is Still Alive

Arborists know the banyan tree is still alive because there is healthy vascular tissue below the charred exterior of the tree. Also, on August 31, 2023, the first signs of new growth were observed on the tree.

Workers water the tree daily, and pains are being taken to clean up the soil around the tree. For example, the soil in the area is being churned so that charred dirt that isn’t visible can be removed. It also aerates the soil.

The removed soil is being replaced by earth that’s mixed with beneficial micro-organisms and chemicals that allow the tree to absorb more nutrients than usual. Mulch has also been introduced to help the tree retain moisture. Despite this, the tree is too damaged to ooze sap like usual, and the sap within the healthy tissue isn’t flowing as it should.

New growth has begun to sprout, especially on the side of the tree facing the ocean, and this growth is not just near the ground but high in the tree’s canopy. One-third of the entire tree still shows no signs of regeneration, while another third of the tree shows remarkable growth. The remaining third is recovering, but it’s going slowly.

Arborists say the tree is in a coma, and it’s still uncertain if the tree will die or thrive. However, it’s likely the tree will bounce back. All of the trunks near the ground are still alive for now.

Mynah Birds at the Lahaina Banyan Tree

Huge groups of common mynah birds relied on the Lahaina Banyan Tree as their habitat. Back before the burn, when the tree was healthy, mynah birds were well-known inhabitants who sang in its branches. Sometimes there were hundreds of them chiming in at once, and they’re especially drawn to the tree when it’s time to eat its fresh fruit.

Mynah birds are a type of starling that are an invasive species on the Hawaiian Islands, and they were introduced in 1865 to keep caterpillars in check. They thrived in many places, and in those places, many native species are critically endangered as these birds have taken over their food supplies.

Many varieties of mynah birds are popular pet choices because they like to socialize and they’re outgoing. They’re well known for their mimicry, but they aren’t good cuddlers, nor do they take well to doing tricks.

They can memorize about 100 human words and learn complex commands. They also like to screech, whistle, and mimic other noises around their home like the sound of hammering with a tool. Mynahs possess this extraordinary ability to listen and repeat because vocalizations are the main learning method they use in childhood. 

What Do Banyan Trees Symbolize?

Banyan trees symbolize awareness, the importance of history, strength, and the success that comes with daily growth. Banyan trees are often trees of enlightenment, like the one that the Buddha sat under when he achieved Nirvana. That specific banyan was a Ficus religiosa, while the Lahaina Banyan Tree is a Ficus benghalensis.

Both banyan trees are biologically a type of fig tree that grows more than one trunk. A tree like this does this via roots growing from its big branches that reach the ground to root, stabilize, and grow large. This allows these kinds of trees to become huge and very old.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © 7Michael/iStock via Getty Images