138th Birthday Celebration of the Lahaina Banyan Tree

By Wendy Osher

Banyan Tree - Lahaina, Maui. Photo courtesy Lahaina Town Action Committee, by: Kyle Johnson Lighthaus Camera Lahaina.

The Lahaina Town Action Committee celebrates the 138th birthday of the famous Banyan Tree landmark in West Maui.

The tree was planted on April 24, 1873 by a sheriff to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Mission.  It was brought from India, and at the time of planting, was only 8-feet high. It now has a dozen main trunks, and its canopy spreads over two-thirds of an acre between the Old Courthouse and Front Street.  Today, the symmetry of the tree is maintained by volunteers.

The birthday celebration will take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24, 2011.  The free gathering will include cake, a clown, piñata games, artist displays, nature artworks, and hands-on art activities for children.

Saturday April 23, 2011, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Arts and Crafts
• Live music all day
• 11 – 1 p.m. Magician Brenton Keith Show
• 1 p.m. Banyan Tree Birthday Cake
• 1 – 3 p.m. Clowns & Keiki Games
• 1 – 3 p.m. Live music provided by Keoki Ruiz & friends, Gilbert Emata & David Choy
• Silent Auction 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. with parasailing, local restaurants, Maui Jim sunglasses, boat rides & much more.
• Food provided by: Cool Cats, Captain Jacks, Famous Dave’s & Local Boyz Shave Ice

Sunday, April 24, 2011, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Arts and Crafts
• Live music all day
• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Easter Bunny, egg hunt, keiki games