The devastating fires that roared through Maui this week, killing dozens and ravaging the historic town of Lahaina, scorched a beloved tree that has been described as the largest banyan in the US. At the time it was planted in 1873, a gift shipped from India to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Protestant mission in Lahaina, the tree was only an 8-ft (2-meter) sapling. It was planted a quarter century before the Hawaiian Islands became a US territory and seven decades after King Kamehameha declared Lahaina the capital of his kingdom. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/10/lahaina-banyan-tree-burned-hawaii-wildfire https://lahainatown.com/banyan-tree-park.php
“Hope” is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all - ---Emily Dickinson https://www.npr.org/2023/08/11/1193...ic-lahaina-banyan-tree-appears-still-standing
They're watering the tree. Lahaina Fire-Banyan Tree Watering, August 15, 2023 on Vimeo. I can't link to this Facebook posting:
There's a new leaf on the tree. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=732875752186919&set=a.489383493202814
Wonderful news! What an excellent poster that image would make---inspirational. If the banyan tree can survive---maybe I can do it, too!
More new leaves on the banyan tree in Lahaina. This is on Facebook, but I think it's public. https://fb.watch/nxYH_iJAEK/
Thanks, @togata57. I particularly liked the bit about the Treecovery non-profit that is growing native trees in pots for people to pick up and plant in ground when they move back to their homes.
