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Did Lahaina Banyan tree survive Maui wildfires? Internet mourns with locals about damage to historic site

The iconic banyan tree on Maui in Hawaii appears to severely burnt by the massive wildfire that is ravaging the island

Update: The raging wildfire that has caused significant damage in Lahaina is reported to be 80% contained, Maui County officials said on August 10, Thursday. 

Amid the disaster, Lahaina remains without power. Sadly the death toll in the wildfire raging through Maui has climbed to 53 from 36. Several historic sites and roads and structures have been destroyed. Movement in Lahaina is partially restricted because of all the destruction, much of the landscape is completely torched as residents attempted to jump into the ocean to escape the rising flames. 

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MAUI, HAWAII: Locals and netizens are devastated by a disastrous wildfire that started on Tuesday, August 8, on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Many people are worried about the ancient banyan tree in Lahaina town as the fires rage on, already scorching hundreds of acres.

Images from the ancient beach town of Lahaina show the 150-year-old banyan Tree with soot-blackened and burnt branches.

People expressed grief on social media at the apparent loss of the tree hoping that it would still survive because it is still standing tall, as per Newsweek.

Did Lahaina Banyan tree survive Maui wildfires?

According to Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, "Maui County has not been able to communicate with residents on the west side, the Lahaina side."

Communication was cut off because of the lack of power, cell and phone coverage. Even the 911 number was not working in the area. This sparked concerns for the residents and the famous banyan tree.

According to Hawaii News Now, overhead footage from a Hawaiian Airlines flight shows that the historic town of Lahaina "has been nearly completely reduced to rubble."

The famous banyan tree in the center of Lahaina appears to have been destroyed by fire.

The status of the tree has not been updated, but the Fire Information For Resource Management System (FIRMS) map reveals that there are significant ongoing flames that are consuming Lahaina, Puunoa, Kelawea, and other places.

'Yet amazingly, it is still there'

People expressed their sorrow about what would happen to the historic site that has become so adored on the island in recent years, alongside their sympathy for those whose lives have been completely upended.

One Twitter user tweeted, "Nearly all of old town Lahaina burned to the ground last night and early this morning. Reports of the horrifying event are still coming in. The largest US Banyan tree, seen here in the photo is quite scorched, but has a chance to make it."

A second person wrote: "This beautiful Banyan tree is gone. So large and sprawling, a staple of my memory when I would see my family on Maui. Gone. It hurts. Lahaina town will never be the same."

A third concerned social media user exclaimed, "This building was the Lahaina Heritage Museum - gone. The tree behind it was the largest banyan tree in the US and the oldest in Hawaii, and one of the most spectacular trees I’ve ever seen. It appears severely burned but still standing."

Another one voiced concern and wrote: "My family and I were taking pictures under the Banyan tree two days ago in downtown Lahaina. Lots of folks we interacted with that day have lost their jobs and homes over the last 48 hours. Send some to the residents of Maui today they are going through hell."

"I’m so upset to hear about Lahaina. This Banyan tree was truly such a special place. I took this video while walking through it in 2019. Listen to how beautiful. I hope it and the town somehow survives," wrote another.

Someone enquired, "Does anyone know if the Lahaina Banyan tree has survived?"

Another one shared an ariel image of the banyan tree and wrote, "Looks like the #Lahaina banyan tree has hope. But all the buildings around it, including the Lahaina Museum are rubble."

One more hopeful social media user wrote, "Hoping that the Lahaina banyan tree somehow survived the fire, the oldest tree on Maui and absolutely majestic to see in person."

"UPDATE: The Lahaina banyan tree suffered serious injury yet amazingly, it is still there. But everything else around it was destroyed. It's now been confirmed that six lives were also lost in the Lahaina fire," updated another Twitter user.

Why is the banyan tree famous?

The Lahaina banyan tree is the largest banyan tree in Hawaii and the United States, making it a popular tourist destination. The gigantic tree on 671 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761, which covers 1.94 acres and is over 60 feet tall, has 16 trunks.

The tree, known as "paniana" in Hawaiian, was only an 8-foot seedling when it was placed in the center of the village by Kauai native and former attorney general of the Republic of Hawaii, William Owen Smith.

The idea that the banyan tree is made up of multiple tree trunks is a prevalent one. However, to support the continuously expanding tree, the Lahaina Banyan's single trunk had sprouted 16 other trunks.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of a Protestant mission, the tree was sent to the then 'Kingdom of Hawaii'. It was initially planted in a fort that was later reconstructed as a courthouse and is now a significant historical location in the neighborhood.