'It's true, we've lost historic Lahaina town.' The banyan tree has been an iconic part of Lahaina town’s historic Front Street. The Maui wildfires have damaged it and other landmarks.
Those were the emotional words of Lisa H. Paulson, the executive director of the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association as she spoke to Scripps News this week.
It rose up to over 60 feet above ground and was anchored to the ground with multiple trunks over almost an acre of land. The banyan tree has been a symbol of history for the island, and its past. The tree takes up nearly an entire city block. It's now thought to be lost. Paulson said some had to"literally jump in their boats" to evacuate and"save their livelihood."
The hope is that the historic tree, along with many other parts of the island, are just singed, and that the badly burned areas can recover as quickly as possible.
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