By Annabelle Timsit and Kelsey Ables
Lahaina has a rich and long history that dates back to 300 years ago, when Hawaii was the capital. Officials say that despite this, the wildfires which have decimated Lahaina in the last day also have affected the island Maui. This raises concerns about cultural landmarks loved by Hawaii residents.
One-of-a-kind, 150-year-old tree. A missionary’s old home. Buddhist temple. The Lahaina Fires are believed to have destroyed or lost all of these structures. 36 people were killed and at least 271 buildings damaged.
At a press conference held on Wednesday, the Lt. Sylvia Luke, a Democrat from Washington State said that it will take many years to undo the damage.
Firefighters struggled to put out the fires that started Tuesday night despite strong winds caused by Hurricane Dora.
Lahaina is a town on Maui’s west coast that hosts tens and thousands of tourists each year. A 60-foot Banyan Tree off Lahaina Harbor has captivated tourists as well as locals. The tree shelters benches beneath its 60-foot height.
Authorities feared that the tree on Wednesday had been burned. Conservationists claim it is the biggest of its type in the United States.
Maxar Technologies’ satellite images show the standing tree that was severely damaged by the Wednesday fires.
This tree was planted to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Lahaina’s first Protestant Mission in 1873. The residents have encouraged the tree to grow in a symmetrical manner by placing water-filled jars at specific aerial roots.
Kaniela Ing, a former Hawaii House Representative Kaniela Ing posted an image on Twitter of the banyan trees damaged and described it as “a tragic sign of climate crisis.” The Washington Post was unable to independently verify this image.
Lahaina, before it was destroyed in a fire, provided an insight into Hawaii’s past.
Ing, a reporter for the media outlet said that “starting from one end of Front Street walking towards the other is a timeline of Hawaiian Kingdom history”. There’s a chronological flow of buildings dating back over 150 years. It is sad to think that any part of this rich history was lost.
Local conservationists told The Post the Baldwin Home Museum may have been demolished. It is the oldest home on Maui, and an important treasure for Lahaina.
Kimberly Flook wrote an email that “everything we’ve seen in social media indicates that the Baldwin Home Museum was indeed completely burned.” She said that the management organization hasn’t inspected the property in person.
She said, “Videos and pictures show that there may still be some walls standing but the rest is all gone.” The Post was unable to independently verify the extent and severity of damage.
Maui News also reported that on Wednesday, flames had consumed the Waiola Church hall – which is considered the first Christian Church in Maui and celebrated its 200th Anniversary this May. It was also reported that a temple that belongs to the Hongwanji-Shin Buddhist community of Maui that’s 90 years old, has been destroyed.
According to The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the fire also destroyed the Pioneer Inn built in 1901.
The State Historical Preservation Division of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources didn’t immediately reply to a comment request made overnight on Wednesday.
Hawaiian Department of Land and Natural Resources reported that the early Hawaiians had carved images in the basalt cliffs of Olowalu Valley up to 300 years ago.
This is a great loss. State senators stated that Hawaii and Maui had worked to protect and preserve these places for many years, not only because of tourism but also as part of their cultural heritage. Gilbert S.C. Keith Agaran (D), in an interview with USA Today cited unconfirmed information that some of Maui’s most prominent landmarks were destroyed.
He continued, “We have just lost an important part of our history. “.
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