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By Gary T. Kubota, Star-Bulletin
Texas visitor Dean Buescher gives his daughter Sarah a
ride under the shade of the Lahaina banyan tree. The tree
lost leaves in the center of the canopy last year, prompting
some to fear it may be dying. But it apparently recovered
after extensive watering.

Historic Lahaina
banyan showing
new growth

But experts still fear
the long-term effects of
a three-year drought

---

By Gary T. Kubota
Maui correspondent

LAHAINA, Maui -- Under Maui's historic Lahaina Banyan Tree, a new growth of leaves has replaced the bare middle of a canopy that once seemed to be dying.

The new growth is prompting cautious optimism about its health. But experts still worry about the stress upon the tree from a three-year drought here.

In hot weather, scores of visitors walk under the 225-foot wide expanse of leaves and branches to find refuge from the heat. Their pace slows in the cool shade, and their curiosity grows as they examine long horizontal branches supported by multi-tiered trunks.

"I've never seen anything like it," Texas visitor Dean Buescher said recently, carrying his daughter Sarah on his shoulders.

"It's something unique."

The problem facing county park arborist David Sakoda about a year and a half ago also was unique. The tree was shedding its leaves in the center of the canopy, without budding --an indication that portions of it may be dying.

By Gary T. Kubota, Star-Bulletin
Vacationers to Maui continue to shop, promenade
and take pictures beneath the limbs of the Lahaina
banyan tree.

Experts said the extraordinary loss of leaves apparently was caused by seasonal shedding, urban stress and a continuing drought in Lahaina.

Sakoda said that while he's still monitoring the tree, the center of the canopy is now full of new leaves.

"The tree is significantly better-looking now," he said.

The tree, planted in 1873 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Protestant missionaries arriving in Lahaina, covers about two-thirds of an acre and stands 50 to 60 feet high. It's mauka of Lahaina Harbor, between the Pioneer Inn and Kamehameha III School.

Its allure has been part of its undoing, attracting thousands of people, compacting the soil and killing the grass.

A varied group of residents gather there almost daily, with displays ranging from hand-crafted jewelry to quotations by Jesus.

During Halloween and Kamehameha Day, the tree serves as a center for entertainment, including school band concerts, hula and tarot readings.

Sakoda said while the leaves have returned to the center of the canopy, there are still bare areas on the ocean side of the tree, where its roots were cut during the remodeling of the old Lahaina Courthouse.

Some prohibitions have been imposed to help in the tree's growth. No one is allowed to cook, explode fireworks or drive a vehicle under it.

There are signs posted asking people to refrain from climbing on it.

Around the perimeter, grass has been planted and is irrigated regularly with watering hoses.

Sakoda said while the watering may help the grass, the banyan's demand for water mainly occurs several feet deeper, and the tree requires thousands of gallons of water a day.

In Lahaina, where there were once taro patches along Front Street, fresh water usually flows below ground in a number of places. But experts fear the drought is reducing the underground flow.

Sakoda said he's worried about the impact of a nagging drought upon the tree.

"We still haven't had a significant rain," he said. "We're still going through three years of drought, and who knows how long this drought will last. It's something we're still monitoring."

Meanwhile, Sakoda and members of the county's arborist committee are considering redesigning the grounds, improving irrigation, perhaps planting ground cover under the tree itself, and eventually seeking landscaping money from the county to improve the health of the tree.

"We're looking for long-term solutions," he said.