At the birthday party on Saturday, members of Lahaina Restoration Foundation will give the Lahaina Banyan Tree a new bench with a plaque commemorating its 150 years.

LAHAINA — Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, coincides with the 150th birthday party of the Lahaina Banyan Tree, which was planted on April 24, 1873.

The tree was planted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Protestant mission in Lahaina.

Saturday’s Banyan Tree birthday party will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to honor Lahaina’s favorite tree. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event presented by Lahaina Restoration Foundation.

The massive tree, with a height of more than 60 feet, was only eight feet tall when it was planted. The Lahaina landmark now shades two-thirds of the one-acre park.When its aerial roots hit the ground, they grow into trunks that support the tree’s lateral growth.

The phenomenal growth and resulting size and shape of the Lahaina Banyan Tree can be attributed to the loving care the tree received from the community in its early days. The town gardeners tied pickle jars filled with water to specific aerial roots which they wanted to grow while cutting back others.

This has resulted in a tree with a symmetrical circle of many trunks around its original main trunk.

The lateral growth of the Banyan Tree continued over the years as aerial roots dropped from the branches to the ground, forming supporting trunks.

Today, arborists trim the tree annually, so it will stay within the confines of the park.

In its natural state without diligent monitoring when it is young, a banyan tree will send down so many aerial roots that a dense and impenetrable forest is formed.

The Lahaina Banyan Tree is on Maui County’s list of Exceptional Trees, which means that it is protected, and special attention is given to its maintenance.

It is an Indian Banyan Tree, and its scientific name is Ficus bengalensis.

A Banyan Tree Trivia contest will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants who answer all trivia questions correctly will receive a banyan tree magnet and be entered into a drawing.

Winners of the drawing will be announced at noon, and prizes will be awarded.

Throughout the event, keiki can make special cards using a rubber stamp of the Banyan Tree as well as colored pencils and pens.

Several historic photos of the Lahaina Banyan Tree will be on display, and story boards of Fun Facts about Banyan Trees will be available to view.

Laurie Miller, who won the official 2023 Lahaina Poster Contest with her colorful image of the Lahaina Banyan Tree, will be at the party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to dedicate and sign posters that can be purchased in the Lahaina Visitor Center.

At 1 p.m., a birthday cake will be cut and distributed to all in attendance.

The birthday party will close at 2 p.m. with a giveaway of kalo plants in honor of the taro that was grown here for centuries prior to the construction of the Lahaina Fort in 1827.

The 150th birthday party of the Lahaina Banyan Tree is presented by Lahaina Restoration Foundation, whose mission is to be stewards and storytellers of Lahaina’s historical and cultural heritage.

For more information, visit lahainarestoration.org, view LRF on Facebook or call (808) 661-3262.