Lahaina has a Rich History

June 2018

The earliest settlers of Maui stepped foot on its shores around 450 A.D. However, it was the prosperity of the 1800s and the foresight of King Kamehameha that put Lahaina on the map. Lahaina LeLe, meaning relentless sun, was the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom until 1845 when the capital was moved to Honolulu. King Kamehameha even built a brick palace on the shores of Lahaina, along with other royal buildings and residences on a site called Moku`ula.

The arrival of the European explorers in the 1800’s brought a great deal of change. Things like mangos were brought to the islands and thrived. You'll find some trees still scattered throughout the town. You can buy the candy-like fruit at some curbside stands.

As more ships arrived for trade, they began to take note of the humpback whales that came by the thousands to the tropical Maui waters to mate and give birth each year. The town became a hub of whaling activity; and the once calm sunny coast became full of rowdy sailors. Sailors had to share the immigration limelight with missionaries that were also attracted to the area. This brought about a battle of virtues. Eventually, with the construction of missionary schools and the introduction of the missionary printing press, the missionaries won out.

In time, the waters of marshy Lahaina were diverted by the next big industry. Sugar cane and pineapple, as well as coffee, became big enterprises. A further influx of migrant workers arrived to work these plantations, mostly from Japan, China and Portugal.

In 1873, the now-famous Banyan tree was first planted by the courthouse in Lahaina Town. Its original purpose was a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Lahaina’s first Christian Mission. In 1886, it served as the site for a birthday party for King Kamehameha III. Then in 1898 the tree was the site of a ceremony marking Hawaii becoming a United States territory. The Banyan tree stands in the heart of Lahaina on 2/3 of an acre. The tree was only 8 feet tall when it was brought from India and first planted by the courthouse. At first glance many think it’s a small forest, but it is, in fact, one tree that stands 50 feet tall, is nearly a quarter of a mile around and has more than 10 trunks that anchor it into the ground.

To learn more about the colorful history of this town, you can take the free self-guided walking tour called the Lahaina Historic Trail. Many of these key points of pre and post civilization are designated with an informative plaque throughout the town of Lahaina, all only a short distance from one another.