Banyan Tree Lahaina Maui Pre Fire Editorial Image

Shoppers and tourist gather at the Lahaina,Maui public market under the spreading banyan tree. This famous courtyard is in the center of town with a single large banyan tree with 16 major trunks apart from the main trunk. Older banyan trees are characterized by aerial prop roots that mature into thick,woody trunks,which can become indistinguishable from the primary trunk. This particular Banyan Ficus benghalensis was planted on April 24,1873,in Lahaina to mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival of first American Protestant mission. The image is pre August 2023 fire that burned the town of Lahaina to the ground with significant loss of life and property. The tree symbolizes hope for the regrowth of Lahaina.