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LahainaTown Action Committee to host 18th Lighting of the Banyan Tree

By Staff | Dec 3, 2015

The Lahainaluna High School Band will perform when the Banyan Tree is lit up for the holiday season at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5.

LAHAINA – LahainaTown Action Committee will host the 18th annual Lighting of the Banyan Tree in downtown Lahaina on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5-6. Sixty-four lamp posts on Front Street will also be decorated with Christmas wreaths.

Among the most famous landmarks in Lahaina, the banyan was planted in 1873 by Sheriff William Owen Smith to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first American Protestant mission in Lahaina.

Brought from India, the tree was only eight feet high when it was planted. It now has a dozen main trunks and spreads over the better part of an acre.

In keeping with tradition, on Saturday, the historic Banyan Tree will be lit at 6:30 p.m. with 6,500 colored Christmas lights. The Pioneer Inn and Wharf Cinema Center will simultaneously light their properties with holiday lights. The tree will be lit up for the entire holiday season from Dec. 5 to Jan. 3, 2016.

Keiki activities will kick off at 2 p.m. with the arrival of Santa at the North Pole sponsored by 5A Rent-A-Space. Other activities include cookie decorating, face painting and Christmas crafts.

LahainaTown Action Committee requests that attendees bring one canned or nonperishable food item for admission into the North Pole winter wonderland.

Keiki are invited to come out and meet “Da Snowman” arriving at 4 p.m. He is shipped in and carved onsite. Parents should bring cameras for this great photo opportunity.

Join in the fun with this Lahaina island-style event with a holiday arts and crafts fair along with a variety of local musicians. Music begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

All are welcome to attend this free community event.

For more information, contact Lynn Donovan at lynn@visitlahaina.com or 667-9175.