Hirono optimistic iconic Lahaina banyan tree will bloom again

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) said Sunday she is “optimistic” the historic banyan tree in Lahaina will bloom again after a wildfire ripped through parts of Maui last week, destroying thousands of structures. 

The historic Lahaina town on Maui was devastated after the wildfire burned at least 2,170 acres of land, including the Lahaina banyan tree, which is considered a landmark throughout the state. Planted in April 1873, the tree now covers an entire acre on the town’s historic Front Street.  

Standing before the banyan tree, Hirono said she spoke with an arborist who is trying to determine if the tree is alive and how it can be supported.

“We’re standing before this tree because I hope that this also represents a sign of hope,” Hirono said in a video posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “And if we can get this tree to begin to rejuvenate, it gives the rest of us hope.” 

Hirono said she was joined by Isabella Casillas Guzman, the administrator of the Small Business Administration, and at least 150 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staffers.

The Maui wildfire had killed at least 96 people as of Sunday night, making it the deadliest wildfire in modern United States history. Search and rescue efforts for unaccounted people continue on the island and the death toll is expected to rise, Maui County officials said. 

As of Friday, the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) and FEMA estimated the fire in Lahaina damaged or destroyed at least 2,207 structures. In a damage assessment map posted Saturday, FEMA and PDC said the damages are estimated at roughly $5.52 billion.  

As of Sunday night, Maui County officials estimated the fire was 85 percent contained as crews worked to put out any flare-ups. In Upcountry Maui, county officials estimated the fire is 60 percent contained, noting the hot spots in hard-to-reach places in mountainous areas are making it difficult to extinguish. Officials said at least 19 homes have been destroyed so far in the Upcountry/Kula wildfire.