See how wildfires have changed Lahaina

Wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii, spurred fears for the fate of a 150-year-old banyan tree. See the contrast between island spots before the fire started and after. Read more: wapo.st/3OR0GaA. Subscribe to The Washington Post on KZbin: wapo.st/2QOdcqK
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[@jet3xi]

Hope the banyan tree survived, it would be a great symbol of resilience for the community!

[@TheHiddenNarrative]

It's said that it did. Interestingly, when that tree was just a sapling it survived another big fire about 150 years ago.

[@pohanahawaii]

🌳🌱🌱 That banyan tree has extended roots and offspring trees all over the place. It's life theme song is Gloria Gaynor "I Will Survive"!

[@markweigel3301]

😎🇺🇸🤙BANYAN TREES ARE AWESOME

[@V.E.R.O.]

It's at the beginning of the video, didn't you see it? It's just charred, I hope someone is able to help it flourish again.

[@ciaragarrity6425]

A lot of news networks say that the tree was wiped off the face of the earth, but I hear rumours that the tree is still alive, what happened?

[@stingerbee8346]

My wife and I visited Lahaina 22 years ago. We had the time of our lives and met many wonderful people. It was a loveliy little town, both because of and in spite of the tourism industry. I will be praying for their recovery. The company where I work is taking donations for them. I hope we're not the only one. There's so much strife and misery in the world. And caring just a little can go a long way.

[@scottw550]

If they immediately spray the banyan tree with a mist of fresh water it might come back.

[@jacobacantilado7387]

I came back from Hawaii around the end of June after touring Maui and Oahu, I visited Lahaina for the first time thinking I would come back in a couple years, but it's gone. My Prayers go out to those who live in Lahaina

[@Jupe367]

At least you got a chance to see it before the devastation. Those photos are going to be much more meaningful.

[@undasea]

It's hard to tell, but I think the Banyon tree looks okay? Not nearly as bad as people have been saying. I mean, it IS still there.

[@WiilyDerbbinphlatte]

And why would you believe the media in the first place? It's fake news.

[@ratherb_skating7145]

For some reason CNN said that tree in Lahaina had been completely destroyed, but that doesn't look like it hardly even got touched...?? I can even see leaves and small branches all over it still

[@TubTechGuru]

@ratherb_skating7145 Never believe anything the msm fake news tell you…just my 2 cents!

[@JR-by2fy]

Umm its CNN... HELLO!!! You cant take ANYTHING CNN says as truth... NEVER!!!!!!!!!

[@philyeary8809]

It's the flawed mk ultra script in play😂

[@californiagrandma]

The leaves and small branches are completely fried in the after pic. Hopefully there is still enough moisture in the trunk and roots for it to sprout new branches and leaves again.

[@ratherb_skating7145]

​@@californiagrandma it's not the clearest picture but regardless it looks just fine especially compared to what it was reported as. It's also a completely different camera angle so not the best comparison

[@stacy311]

I am sending condolences to any family members and animals❤

[@shanti888]

Thanks for remembering the animals also.

[@lahaina4791]

Woof !

[@CWalthallBrand]

I just can’t believe it.. I live in Oahu and only visited Lahaina once. Never thought it would be my last.

[@Polymathically]

I was lucky enough to visit Lahaina back in 2014. It was my first time in Hawaii; that whole area was so beautiful, and the banyan tree is what fascinated me the most. I only had a cheap little point and click camera back then, and I always thought I'd come back someday and photograph it with a proper DSLR. I was scheduled to go back and stay in Lahaina at the end of August 2023, literally two weeks away from now. But now all I can do is cancel everything, stay out of the way, and donate. May the people of Lahaina be as resilient as that banyan tree.

[@MichelleBrown-vi5zo]

Give back the natives their life stock their lands or u will pay the ultimate price with ur own lives God is a righteous judge and he is angry 😡 with u wicked heathens u break every rule of the good book 📕 but think he does not see u continue to mock him by ur vile passions oh greedy wicked white people u will not go unpunished but will pay with ur lives the ultimate price Queen Elizabeth is in hell right now burning in the flames 🔥 this is punishment from God now the rest of u will follow suit u vile pale beasts the 🌞 sun hates u and the Most High stripped the Color of u , you are the Mark of wicked Cain and the fallen angel seed u are now a walking curse of the lands u step food u bring disease and distruction wherever u go a vagabond wig no home u cavedweller so u steal from others there is no hue-Manity in u cave dwellers u laid the once lushes lands a waste now it’s time u face judgment from the Most High the black God of the Melaninted Adams and Eves descendants of the planet 🌎 u fools how can u flee the judgement take thy punishment as a man for blood 🩸 is in ur hands u evil 👿 ones or can u handle the fiery wrath of the Almighty that is coming on the face of the planet The Most High says he is tired of your kind stealing and killing his chosen ones and he is coming to avenge and recompense what the evil white man that has the MARK of CAIN from which he has stripped his color his melanin so that the heat can scorch his behind with no protection ya you white folks are 👿 👿 evil u gonna pay hell fire is worse hope u can take the heat God is prepping ur asses for it u gon be bar b Qued crisp lol 😂🎉🎉🎉fiyah gon 🔥🔥🔥bun yo nincompoops u bombo clats he gon turn up the heat more for ur asses🔥⚡️⚡️and blaze ⚡️⚡️y’all up🔥🌞🌞🌞disgusting pieces of wastes y’all are to the planet 🌎😡 God do not appreciate what u do to his people my ancestors the true children of God u got to leave the planet 🌎 completely u gats to go 👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾👹🔥🔥🔥🔥right in ur underworld haven together with ur father that diabolical evil father wants y’all to join him in the lake of 🔥🔥🔥forever,,the earth will cease from sufferings once u are deleted no one will miss y’all trouble makers

[@winkieblink7625]

The foliage will return on those 200 year old trees. But losing buildings built in the 18th and 19th centuries is heartbreaking…..along with the human loss of course.

[@theaussiefish1]

So horrible :( one of my favorite towns. Sending love from Wisconsin.

[@mattlamour8942]

This shows nothing compared to people who are here. Lahaina town is destroyed. Completely burnt. Bodies of people and animals charred in the street. Devastating.

[@bukboefidun9096]

WaPo sanitized it... poor journalism is their hallmark

[@minimaxmiaandme.4971]

@@bukboefidun9096 Who wants to look at dead bodies of people and animals. I call this being sensitive, freak!

[@garyurtiaga9426]

I spoke with a good friend today by cell phone for 5 minutes (that’s how long she could maintain the call) who lives about 5 miles north of Lahaina in Kahana. She told me they have no electricity, very low cell phone coverage (except from the beach), no police presence, stories of looting and yet there are private boats, jet skis and other water craft traveling from Molokai bringing food, medical supplies, bottles of water and more! This is the Hawaiian way and we all need to pitch in and help, just like their neighbors across the channel are doing today! This is what real ALOHA is like!

[@odettagonzalez4355]

That’s a true statement Mahalo👌😊❤

[@gregm5636]

its all sad, and i hope the 150 year old Banyan tree is hearty enough to bounce back.. a lot tree can withstand fires.

[@awesomekoga7848]

Sending our deepest heartfelt condolences to the families of all who were taken too soon. This is so heartbreaking. I’m praying my family and friends who live there are all safe! I’m at a loss for words right now because I’m reliving the memories of Front Street at Halloween when my ex-husband would go for the fishing tournament. Praying for all involved to be ok. 💜💕❤️🙏🌈💜💕❤️🙏🌈

[@markhernandez4804]

Seeing The Whalers Locker antique shop for the last time was the most devastating to me.

[@avagrego3195]

Hope the banyan tree survives - I have a pic of my family sitting under that tree.

[@carolh2745]

I was in Lahaina 5 months ago and had 2 great photos of the Banyan tree. I stood in front of it giving the peace sign and my husband took the shots. I'm so glad we saw and felt Lahaina before it burned to the ground. So sad looking at the videos and photos we took of this beautiful little town. We sat outside of the Baldwin house happily eating our ice cream and people watching. Baldwin house is also gone. Lahaina is centuries old town and in 2 days history was erased. I can't fathom what just happened here.

[@Dmb0617]

Absolutely devastating. My favorite vacation spot. My heart breaks 💔

[@lynneboll4259]

I loved this famous banyan tree!

[@caressad6781]

Just got back from visiting here last Wednesday. Beautiful place with so much history has been through a lot already from what I’ve learned through research as well as the museum that was completely destroyed in the fire. This beautiful place deserves all the help we can give in any way we all can give. Sending spirits of triumph and rejuvenation to you Lahaina🥰

[@YdnickniL]

How incredibly sad.

[@p.e.1847]

This was not a natural wildfire! This was intentionally done!

[@rinalore9416]

The same kind'a thing happened in New Orleans with🌪Hurricane☠️Katrina. The🇺🇸US Government knew the levees were going to break for years and ignored the warnings, it was easier and cheaper to sacrifice people than it was to rebuild the levees. I still have the images in my head after seeing on the news the bloated dead bodies floating in the streets of New Orleans and people carrying their dead loved-ones in the hopes of properly burying them. This all is so💔heartbreaking! The citizens of the🇺🇸US are treated like🐜ants at a🧺picnic being squashed by it's own Government just to make more $money$!

[@lydiahays515]

I went to Lahaina in 2021 and it was so beautiful. So sad to see this tragedy. Thoughts and prayers to everyone who had to experience this

[@tertiary7]

save that tree!

[@bhornannawindeedeigh5007]

So glad I got to see this huge Banyun tree in 2004. 😢 It was an enormous sentient being. I hope it can be somehow saved. 🙏🏽

[@thechampagneroom1]

I just saw it

[@StinkyGreenBud]

Did you just call a tree sentient?

[@GodsOath_com]

Yeah, trees don't have brains. But they are built to withstand fire easily.

[@bigcamel]

I hope the same, biggest tree in America

[@StinkyGreenBud]

@bigcamel Buddy, this tree is not even native to America, let alone Hawaii. It comes from India. Also, it is not even close to the largest tree. The largest tree in the world is the General Sherman. Which is native to North America. It is located in California.

[@bv1197]

One of my favorite artists had a shop under the banyan tree! Help is coming! 💞

[@avaleesdad]

Was it the carver of the totems?

[@sacramentoguy949]

My heart goes out to those impacted by this fire. It's horrible that so many people perished. It's bitter sweet that I had the opportunity to walk down front street. I know that they will rebuild, but it just won't be the same. Todays building codes would never allow the same front street to be rebuilt as it was.

[@jackiealba5421]

Devastating.... I know Hawaiian's are strong. Rebuild! Praying for everyone 🙏 ❤️

[@WiilyDerbbinphlatte]

They will rebuild. Developers are licking their chops now!! They can't wait to get their hands on that ocean front!! Build those multibillion-dollar apartmentts and hotels like Waikiki Beach

[@nesekitty9703]

@@WiilyDerbbinphlatte 😢

[@Posark]

Sorrow for all the people lost and condolences to their families 🤲

[@kevinshaw1387]

Heartbreaking, spent my honeymoon in beautiful Maui in 1998 and stayed in Lahaina.

[@VeronicaReveles408]

Prayers for everyone. 🙏🏻😔

[@user-cp1kk1rv4h]

Same thing I felt with Fort Myers Beach is the same feeling I get when I see this. God bless all.

[@everymanwhiskeycigars8453]

Definitely not wildfires. The wilderness behind the city is still intact. Where’s the video of the firefighters battling the blaze

[@wethepeople258]

Signatures of DEW all throughout!

[@healthylivingtoday1013]

100%

[@tedtan6449]

Will the banyan trees survive?

[@lahaina4791]

Only the Shadow knows. But public works should water it.

[@ZEDU657]

First of all, my heart goes out to those unfortunate souls that perished. My condolences to their loved ones. And my sympathies to those that lost their properties and personal belongings. I'm certainly going to miss Front Street the way it used to be. My wife and I got married on Baby Beach and had dinner after the ceremony at Kimo's. We're going to miss dining at Lahaina Fish Co. and having burgers and beers at Cheeseburger in Paradise and breakfast at Mala Tavern. We are so sad for the people of Lahaina and Maui.

[@lbarmstrong1]

It's so very shallow to say you're going to miss a restaurant when so many people lost their lives and livelihoods. Sorry, but true.

[@Patti1]

In the after photo of the Banyan Tree, how did that bench not get burnt?

[@tm75_88]

What a tragedy Condolences from Italy 🇮🇹💔🙏

[@loucenabre8767]

Sad the worst disaster in Hawai’i . Will pray for their safety.

[@OhanaTraveler_]

Heartbreaking and so much sadness

[@markweigel3301]

😎🇺🇸🙏PRAYERS FOR ALL THOSE AFFECTED 🙏

[@BenjaminGlover48st]

I thought the torches on the building was fire for a second

[@oloxyea]

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

[@ChasOnErie]

The Banyan tree from India !!

[@thomasblanchard6778]

The banyan tree appears to be damaged but intact. I'm still not sure it will recover. Yes, it sure would say Lahaina Strong very well if it does!

[@paulnevins]

Every place I have visited has either been flooded or burnt to a crisp. Guess I can't go back there next year for my 10 year wedding anniversary :(

[@janetcall5452]

I absolutely loved our trip to Maui. Front street was so much fun, the food was awesome and so many fun gift shops. Going on an excursion to spot some whales and the coming back and sitting under the great big old tree, that breaks my heart. We wanted to go back again but I guess all I'll have now are the memories. 😢

[@TheGallant67]

That tree will not die from flash fire, it will grow even stronger now.

[@phelan5387]

Has the Reverand Baldwin home and Pioneer building been destroyed?

[@Patti1]

Yes to both. :(

[@phelan5387]

@@Patti1 I am profoundly dissapointed and grieve for the lives lost. La Haina was my home for 16 months back in 1984 and 1985.

[@Patti1]

@@phelan5387 WOW. I was also living in Lahaina during those years!

[@tealeh2]

so what is left of the city?

[@ahmedalsharman]

*Give Hawaii it is independence*

[@solomit1]

That's very sad such a beautiful place looked so peaceful you could never think such destruction would happen in Hawaii

[@YMBey]

Wild HOUSE fires? 👀

[@jaydawg116]

I vacation usually a month a year for the last 24 years of my life here. It’s heaven on earth. The locals are wonderful, it’s just peace. Donate what you can, I’m volunteering for the clean up.

[@runnwiturunnwitme5817]

This was an attack, no warnings or alert sirens. Something’s wrong 😮😬😳🧐🤔

[@bukboefidun9096]

Quite a lousy attempt at before/after... then again democracy died at the WaPo with its reporting.. or lack thereof

[@CarlosYT2001]

It looks like Jurassic world fallen kingdom

[@elizabethlockley5861]

The Fire Should Have Had Sea Water Planes Blasting It With Water When It First Started !! Thats How You Put All Fires Out Completely.

[@Madam-ri8gs]

That old Banyan Tree just may regenerate as had lots of water inside it.

[@mortgageboxermom]

Looks like the tree should make it! Maybe that’s a start of the rebuild and inspiration for all in Lahaina Town. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Cfass1]

Not quite the before and after we were all looking for

[@alkirasouter8994]

Prep for floods guys ... there’s a pattern going on , fires first then floods within a matter of days/weeks ... happened to Australia,Europe, other places aswell the past 4 years...

[@janesevy4372]

Footage seems to be from yesterday.

[@shadowfox8748]

Well … it’s 8am in Hawaii … 7 when it came out … all the footage would be dark or shadows if it was today footage. Give it a few hours and there will probably be some more recent and less Smokey stuff

[@arianeingham6699]

The time to show how wildfires affect an area is one year later. This is simply an illustration of what it looks like to experience an active fire.

[@cinnamon962]

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I think this was intentional. my opinion.

[@JuaNyto1993]

california,australia,colorado and hawai right now ....there were used weapons,laser beam for sure

[@callback4all]

There were many before "wildfires" and after "wildfires" vids from localy media avaiable..

[@healthylivingtoday1013]

Yes, but those don’t fit the narrative and may show thing that they don’t want you to see.

[@alpenhuhn1]

Wildfires? A wildfire starts at 300 ° Celsius.

[@a_lucientes]

Looks like a place that drew a lot of wealthy non-Hawain people. Condolences. Such a beautiful and historic place,, and it will continue to be that. Most of those structures were not very old. I know some were. Fires are always tragic. I almost cant think of anything that scares me more. Our thoughts are with the people of Lahaina.

[@lbarmstrong1]

You really should have given credit to Eric West for the video of the streetscape of Lahaina before the fire (that wasn't a wildfire). When will local authorities be investigated? When will someone hold Police Chief Pelletier (the same guy who was in Las Vegas for that shooter cover up) responsible for the fact his men blockaded streets preventing people from escaping the fire zone? They tried to take people BACK INTO the fire (per first person videos, people who were there) and they never notified people what was happening? When will the mayor be held accountable or investigated? Why was there no discernible help for displaced people the day after the fire, but a tall, opaque fence around the town was erected within HOURS? Who are the mysterious police in brand new SUVs patrolling the highway and why won't they allow media to take any video or photos or allow locals to stop to look down at their town? What are they hiding? Hey WP, you just want to steal others' video to post for clicks but there's no real journalism here. Typical I suppose.

[@amandawood140]

Just give the banyan a chance. The trunk and air roots look OK from what I can see. I think the tree will come back even better!

[@Dan-ej9iu]

Been there twice this very sad

[@glaefke17]

Did you pay for the editing? Cancel that check.

[@joshuafolsomart2057]

hahahaha

[@jojox1760]

Is it really wild fires? That’s the billion dollar question…

[@healthylivingtoday1013]

It’s obviously DEWs. Wildfires don’t burn that hot.

[@damonorr1429]

It has been reported that it is still breathing

[@sacramentoguy949]

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@Yukari499]

Stop falling for the propaganda and start looking for news sources from the people not the fake news

[@rinalore9416]

Name one?

[@jt-mk2ur]

Do we know what caused the fire ?

[@PerAllwin1963]

Probably a cigarette dropped, or a crazy misfit started it. It’s so dry lately, anyone or anything could’ve started it.

[@healthylivingtoday1013]

Obvious DEW attack

[@thesearethetimes6442]

Directed Energy weapons

[@PerAllwin1963]

This is so sad. I wonder if the popular Lahaina restaurant “Down The Hatch” was destroyed in the fire? Or the Paia Fish Market? How about the condominium complex Aina Nalu? Anyone know?

[@watchwomandebrajesusistheway]

Paia is not near Lahaina

[@JayQuellin1]

Everything on Front street is destroyed.

[@abdrahmanahmad8239]

So sad

[@nandakanda32000]

Hawaii is loved by Japanese. The recent high prices in Hawaii are most problem. But Japanese most popular destination of abroad after corona is as ever Hawaii. We don't forget the "Operation Tomodachi".

[@Savetheworldfirebidennow]

Those in charge should be in prison

[@jerryh8417]

I hope that the rebuilding can begin soon, and in a way that respects the local community and the businesses that traditionally served them. In other words, keep the new homes and businesses in local hands, and not given up to foreign and mainland carpetbaggers. As a now California resident, who like my parents, was born and raised in Hawaii, I am saddened by the loss of local culture witnessed whenever I return. Do not let the people in power use this emergency to enrich themselves and their out-of-state cronies. We all saw how those in Washington took advantage of the Covid-19 epidemic to boost profits of their buddies in Big Pharma. And, we know how the Hawaii State and federal governments bullied small businesses and residents into donning ineffective masks, closing shops, and believing that the virus originated naturally. Be wary of those the governor refers to as "Washington allies" and relationships - as they likely do not feel the way we feel about our Ohana. Remember, favors need to be repaid, so in what form will that take? Unfortunately, the politics of Hawaii is in the hands of those who pushed these policies, and until the voters wake up to the failings of that party and their well-established voting habits, the loss of Hawaiian culture in our 50th State is only going to continue. Use what is happening in California as a warning, or you may as well except visiting your grandchildren in Las Vegas… For those not aware, a very large proportion of Hawaii residents leaving the state due to being priced out of the housing market, are relocating to Southern Nevada - particularly Las Vegas and Henderson.

[@nameisprivate5429]

Oh god the trees :( Structures can be rebuilt but u can never get those trees back like that. I pray they are destroyed and just suffered. My nana spends her summers in Maui. Had for 30yr. She came back early this year and thankfully wasn’t stuck when this began but her regular place she stays was destroyed. So sad.

[@Clemix_]

Now the birds don’t chirp anymore 😭

[@n.r.2258]

One tourist trap less ….

[@standingbear998]

you mean arson fires.

[@nycfinest4182]

People my heart goes out to this cruel world. 😢. The lord is on his way soon . His word is being fulfilled and I’m praying 🤲 for us all 🫶🤲🙏❤️

[@bettymukami]

Strange that people are more concerned with the historic tree than the people devastated by the tragedy, either in loss of loved ones, livelihoods or homes😢

[@zoep243]

No indication that people commenting on the Banyon Tree are not also devastated by the loss of lives and property. Why so critical and judgmental?

[@ChrisClark-oe7cy]

I don't know why it makes me think of the Tree of Life in the Bible. People are so concerned about the tree and make reference to it being holy. However, the people are so much more important. It is sad that the tree was burned, but the people are what matter the most.

[@krp2nyte]

I hope the tree can be saved.

[@unknownsender3823]

“There Shall Come Soft Rains” poem. Trees and Nature could care less about humans.

[@Virakotxa]

It's the US of America... An indian tree imported 150 years ago seems like prehistory... And 19th century buildings are historical. And people call for prayers when there are culprits at large that burnt kids alive for who knows what nefarious agenda...

[@jeffhampton2767]

Sanibel Island Florida was worse

[@nesekitty9703]

💔😢

[@evilsquizz]

where is the powerfull us army when the fire killing people？

[@JuaNyto1993]

the army need just to keep the infliuence around the world and to steal the resources of other countries but they don t care about americans

[@JayQuellin1]

You obviously don’t understand how the military works. 🙄

[@ptgreen2013]

Sad…. Real sad…..

[@aburetik4866]

Hawaii should be a sovereign country administered by its own ppl. American colonizers should leave this beautiful place

[@JayQuellin1]

When American “colonizers” leave with all of their $$$ then what?

[@MACTOPTIP]

😢

[@HolySpiritActivated]

Guinea grass was brought to islands in 1800s it grows very fast so that tall dead grass was the fuel they want to blame global warming but it's their fault there's all that smoke in air and melted hybrids how bad is that for environment

[@manneshashikumar6462]

Hyy

[@donnah5378]

Sad😮

[@boogiedownforever]

well maybe this is all work of Pele and he gave land back to the people. Make it a park and start over.