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Pago Pago, American Samoa— Since the wildfires on Maui, Lahaina’s famous banyan trees have been seen as a symbol of the town’s resilience and strength.
But at the same time, Hawaii News Now reports that there is growing opposition to the tree being used as a symbol of Lahaina.
The 151-year-old banyan tree, which once stood 60 feet tall and covered nearly an acre, is now noticeably smaller. A large section of the northwest corner was destroyed by fire last year and could not be saved. But the remaining section is thriving.
“Some of the new growth you see here is almost seven feet long,” said Maui County Arborist Tim Griffith. “Some of the new growth is even starting to produce fruit. They produce little berries, which does take a lot of energy, so it’s just a positive sign that the tree does have the energy to produce fruit.”
Trees grow at their own pace, and restoration efforts could take decades.
“We do take a lot of pruning so we do have a lot of little saplings in pots. We’re hoping to plant them right where we removed the pruning and get them started, so it’s going to be a 20-year plan at least, pruning every year, every two years, depending on how fast the tree grows,” Griffith said.
But more and more people in society believe that the tree should not receive so much attention.
Some see it as a symbol of colonialism and the loss of rights for Native Hawaiians.
William Irving Smith planted the banyan tree in 1873 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first Protestant missionaries to Lahaina. Two years later, he helped overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy.
“It’s a constant reminder of what happened and how we lost our country and our land.
“So, here in Lahaina, we wouldn’t mind seeing that tree cut down or gone, which is a very possible scenario,” said Kekai Keahi, a Native Hawaiian activist who lives on Maui.
He said that after the fire, many people saw the banyan tree image on posters, T-shirts and stickers, which attracted people’s attention.
“It should have been the ulu tree on the shirt,” Kiahki told Hawaii News Now.
“If Lahaina is Ka Malu ‘Ulu o Lele, you know, it should be the ‘ulu tree on the shirt. It would completely change the way people think about the resilience of Lahaina.
“What is the ulu tree? I mean, it’s a plant that was brought here and has provided food for humans for thousands of years. The fruit on the banyan tree is not edible. In fact, it’s an invasive species.”
The county’s arborist said native plants will always be a priority, but the banyan tree will remain.
“This is an iconic feature of Lahaina. Every tree in Lahaina that survived is now getting water and care. If it survived, we want it to continue to survive, and we definitely want this to remain a part of it,” Griffith said.
history
It is the oldest banyan tree in Hawaii, having been a gift to the Smith family in the 1870s and planted in Lahaina on April 24, 1873. William Irving SmithThe tree was planted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first Protestant missionary group to Maui at the invitation of the Queen. Orange Bellydeceased wife King Kamehameha.
It is reported that a royal ball was held beneath the tree in 1886 King Kamehameha III On his birthday.
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