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The massive banyan tree in the center of Lahaina on Maui is a beloved gathering spot for locals and a favorite photo op for visitors.
Only 8 feet tall when first planted in 1873, it now stretches 60 feet high, with 16 major trunks and countless undulating branches twisting and turning to fill a space that’s more than 2/3 of an acre.
It attracts flocks of birds, who play, mate, and sing overhead. I suggest sitting and relaxing on one of the many benches. Because of the birds and the forces of gravity, I also suggest wearing a hat.
– Lisa Truesdale is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She writes regularly about travel and tourism, food and drink, and healthy living topics for a variety of regional, national, and international publications.