Hawaii is a mystical place. The people, the climate, the geography, the remoteness, the culture, the music, the foliage, the sea life, the weather, the peace.

Go once, and fall in love. But now, tragedy hits.

Lahaina, a town on the West side of Maui, dates back to the 1700s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Vegetation set afire, and flames rapidly spread with wind gusts exceeding 60 mph. The blaze burned down streets, wooden frameworks, and the entire town of Lahaina. 

But hope breathes in a banyan tree. This banyan tree was planted as an 8-foot sapling in 1873 and grew to over 60 feet high. It had 46 additional trunks that provided shade covering two-thirds of an acre. 

It was a central gathering place for its people. 

Maui county officials say that the tree is burned, but if the roots are strong, it will survive. It’s in the roots, not the branches, that a tree’s greatest strength lies. 

Just like the roots of people.  

To the beautiful residents and visitors of Lahaina during this tragic time, may your roots and memories be deep inside of you. With love and aloha to the survivors. Profound sorrow for the lost loved ones, animal life, lush land, and memorable town. God bless you. 

“When I quit this mortal shore and mosey round this earth no more.” 

AP Photo/Jennifer McDermott