For many, Lahaina’s famous banyan tree is a symbol of all that went awry when colonial powers dispossessed Native Hawaiians of their land, language and culture. It was shipped from India back in 1873 to commemorate “the arrival of the first Protestant missionaries.”.jpg)
Breadfruit
(Photo by Hans Hillewaert)
Yet for others, this leafy wonder has been a nurturing force. It has provided shade and sustenance for species galore and has been a symbol of endurance for 150 years.
Now more than ever, this endurance is front and center. After fires swept Maui in 2023, “the intense heat… dried out much of the tree,” and “about half of its branches died.”
It was then time for good karma to come around full circle. Folks who had appreciated the tree’s bounty and beauty got right to work. They lopped off the dead branches in order to help save the rest.
As the banyan slowly makes a comeback, plans are afoot “to install vertical tubes to help the tree’s aerial roots.” These tubes will funnel water and nutrients to newfound growth.
One good tree deserves another. And another. And another… The group Treecovery is therefore working to restore the ulu (breadfruit) and other species that had thrived in Maui before colonial and commercial times.
Resources
https://news.yahoo.com/news/lahainas-more-150-old-banyan-042037546.html
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