Largest - Banyan Tree in Hawaii - Lahaina, Maui, HI
Posted by: 
denben
N 20° 52.312 W 156° 40.657
4Q E 741617 N 2309712
Hawaii largest Banyan tree is located on the site of the old Lahaina Fort, in Lahaina Banyan Court Park, a public park bounded by Front Street, Canal Street, Wharf Steet and Hotel Street in the town of Lahaina, Hawaii.
Waymark Code: WMR6WM
Location: Hawaii, United States
Date Posted: 05/18/2016
Views: 1
Probably the most famous landmark in Lahaina – the Banyan Tree was planted in 1873 by Sheriff William Owen Smith to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first American Protestant mission in Lahaina. The tree was brought from India, and was only 8 feet high at the time of planting. It now has a dozen main trunks, and spreads over two-thirds of an acre. The Banyan Tree is noteworthy for its size. It has grown by dropping roots from its branches that then become additional trunks. Celebrated each year the third weekend in April the festivities include a birthday cake, live music, silent auction, Maui artists, and more. It is currently the largest banyan tree in Hawaii and one of the largest banyan trees in the United States.
The tree faces several threats, including soil compaction from foot and vehicle traffic due to tourism and special events in the park, drought, and the interruption of irrigation due to courthouse renovation. New restrictions were imposed in 2000 after the health of the tree began to decline. Common myna birds (Acridotheres tristis) roost in the branches of the tree at sunset, causing a cacophony of bird cries as the evening approaches.
Sources: (
visit link) and (
visit link)