How old is the Maria Lanakila Catholic Church? Video shows historic structure completely unscathed amid devastating Hawaii wildfires
MAUI, HAWAII: Amid the extensive devastation that has ravaged the historic town of Lahaina in Maui, a glimmer of hope emerges as an iconic Lahaina Church stands resiliently against the destruction.
A TikTok video has captured the Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, a cherished historic landmark, nestled in downtown Lahaina, Hawaii, standing tall and untouched amid the debris and ruins.
@hawaiibrunoldsquad Lahaina Church was saved . Jax was babtized here #mauifire #lahainahawaii #hawaiibrunoldsquad ♬ original sound - HawaiiBrunoldSquad
How old is the Maria Lanakila Catholic Church?
The church is reportedly 177 years old. Having stood since 1846, the church holds a rich history and has weathered the test of time.
In the video shared on TikTok, its distinctive stained glass windows and steadfast tower are depicted in stark contrast to the smoldering ground and wreckage that surrounds it.
Members of the church's community took to Facebook to express their gratitude the building had been saved.
One wrote, "And the church is standing unharmed - Maria Lanakila Catholic Church in Lahaina. A sign of hope and mercy. Never get hopeless, be strengthened in time of sadness and fear. Pray for Maui."
The official Facebook page for the MPB Parish Community in Denver stated, "The only Church still standing and untouched. May Maria Lanakila Catholic Church be a beacon of light for those in Lahaina. 'And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.' Matthew 16:18-19."
"I don’t have a latest picture of our church but saw this post on 8/9 from a parishioner…. Our church is standing in God’s miraculous grace!" posted one resident, along with a previous picture of the historic structure.
Another local wrote, "The Catholic church I go to in Maui, Maria Lanakila (Our Lady of Victory) is still standing. There are videos showing that all of the surrounding areas are decimated. I can't even imagine how much this means to the Lahaina community."
"Through the years this amazing faith community has offered so spent many peaceful moments to so many," the resident added.
Did Lahaina's oldest banyan tree survive the wildfire?
Lahaina's iconic banyan tree, a cherished part of the town's history for over 150 years, has also managed to withstand the fires' destructive force. As of Friday, August 11, the remarkable tree, boasting an impressive 47 trunks, remains standing, although it has suffered severe scorching due to the flames.
Banyan Tree in Lahaina smoldering at the base, but still standing. Just about the only thing left, other than the Lighthouse. pic.twitter.com/t0lGeOwY2H
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) August 10, 2023
The fate of this historic tree, which was brought from India in 1873, remains uncertain as experts are still assessing whether it will ultimately survive the impact of the fires.
Notably, the tree, located near the historic courthouse building, holds the distinction of being the oldest living banyan tree in the US.
Planted when it was only 8 feet tall, the majestic banyan tree has since grown to a towering height of over 60 feet and covers nearly two acres of land, as detailed on the Lahaina Town website.
Belonging to the fig tree family, the banyan tree is characterized by its unique growth pattern where its aerial roots cascade toward the ground, facilitating both vertical and horizontal expansion. Additionally, the tree provides a habitat for numerous mynah birds, which were introduced to Hawaii in 1865 to control armyworms.