It is the historical treasure trove of Hawaii, this small town destroyed by wildfires. Wildfire | History | Small Town

For many tourists, the town of La Haina on Maui Island in Hawaii is a tropical beach resort, but for Hawaiian residents, it is a treasure trove of history.

Recently, a sudden wildfire in Hawaii, USA, destroyed Maui Island and swept through the tourism center of La Haina town. Most of the local historic districts and multiple historical and cultural relics were destroyed or turned into ashes in the wildfire, including the famous Guangdong Guild Hall, La Haina Heritage Museum, Baldwin's House, La Haina Banyan Tree, and so on.

For many tourists, the town of La Haina on Maui Island in Hawaii is a tropical beach resort, but for Hawaiian residents, it is a treasure trove of history.

Its heritage museum, the La Haina Heritage Museum, is located in the local landmark Old Court and houses artifacts from the Hawaiian Indigenous period. Its oldest building, Baldwin House, is the former residence of a doctor named Baldwin in the 19th century who saved Maui from the outbreak of smallpox. Its most distinctive relic is an old banyan tree with a history of 150 years, planted to commemorate the arrival of Christian missionaries in 1873.

Last Wednesday, wildfires triggered by a hurricane destroyed the island of Maui and flattened most of the historic neighborhoods in the tourist center of La Haina. As the center of this wildfire, Lahaina Town was once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. In 1962, the National Park Service designated the Lahaina Historic District as a national historical landmark. The town has over 30 historical sites, and the entire city still retains its unique classical atmosphere. It is a leisurely and slow paced city. According to relevant media reports, heritage sites such as the La Haina Heritage Museum, Baldwin House, La Haina Banyan Tree, and more have been destroyed or turned into ashes in wildfires.

Theo Morrison, Executive Director of the La Haina Restoration Foundation, said, "We were not prepared, there were no warnings, there was nothing." The La Haina Restoration Foundation is responsible for 14 major historical buildings in this historic town, which lost several sites in the fire.

Including a century old historical building of Guangdong Chinese - the Hexing Guild Hall, this famous Chinese history museum was also not spared from the fire. The Hexing Guild Hall was built by Chinese immigrants in 1912, documenting the historical contributions of Chinese people to the construction of Hawaii. It is also a popular social and gathering place for Chinese people. According to relevant media reports, from 1852 to 1898, thousands of Chinese people came to Maui Island. They settled here and helped build tunnels, bridges, and irrigation systems in the area. The first floor of the guild hall is a museum and gift shop, showcasing Sun Yat sen's related cultural relics. The second floor is the "Xie Tian Palace", with a built-in altar dedicated to the statue of Guan Gong. In the early days, this was the Loyalty and Righteousness Hall where "Hongmen" disciples worshipped Guan Gong. There is also a kitchen in the courtyard of the association, which was used as a screening room before the fire for tourists to enjoy Chinese historical stories.

A huge banyan tree with a history of 150 years in the city center was also destroyed by a fire. This tree was planted on the site of the first palace of Emperor Kamehameha in 1873. The Hawaii Tourism Board said that this banyan tree is the size of a city block and spreads along the front street of the town.

The Baldwin House is the main office of the La Haina Restoration Foundation, and according to news photos, its roof caught fire and was burned to the ground. The house houses wooden rocking chairs brought by Reverend Dwight Baldwin's family from their home on the East Coast in the 1830s, their son's collection of antique shells, and medical equipment used by Dr. Baldwin, a missionary and doctor, to vaccinate most areas of Maui against smallpox.

The roof of the beautiful Old La Haina Court has completely disappeared, leaving only four walls. The court is also the location of the La Haina Heritage Museum. The museum houses artifacts from Hawaii, providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the town's history, including its pre colonial indigenous period and evolution through missionary efforts, as well as the impact of whaling, plantations, and tourism on its development.

Local residents described that during the incident, under the influence of a hurricane, a large fire swept through the nearby grasslands, roaring through this historic tourist town. Local cultural heritage conservation agencies and residents hope that after the fire subsides, at least some buildings on the island can be restored, which is the most destructive thing that has happened in the history of this small town.

The Heritage Museum in the Old Court Building of La Haina

The La Haina Heritage Museum provides visitors with a comprehensive and interactive way to learn about the rich and diverse history of La Haina, from the Hawaiian Indigenous period to the monarchy, including missionary and whaling periods, from the plantation era to early tourism. La Haina not only witnessed all of this, but this picturesque village also played an important role in the development of the Kingdom, Republic, and state of Hawaii. The "Forever La Haina" exhibition in the Heritage Museum is the first time that the entire story of La Haina has been told in one place.

On the second floor platform of the museum, there is a large topographic map of Maui Island that lights up when touched, as well as a historical timeline of Hawaii and the flag of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1898 that once flew over the courthouse. Along the corridor of the first floor, black and white photos of the La Haina ruins and scenes from the early 20th century are displayed, which is heartbreaking. The exhibits also include a touch screen and a video about the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Because the calm waters of La Haina are the birthplace and breeding ground of North Pacific humpback whales.

Baldwin's House: Missionary Life in Hawaiian Villages

The Baldwin House is the oldest house on the island of Maui and a landmark building in the historic center of La Haina. The first four rooms, with a single story structure, were built by Reverend Ephraim Spaulding between 1834 and 1835 and were then known as the "Missionary Compound.". From this area, you can directly see the Lahaina Wharf and the anchorage where whaling boats are anchored.

When Reverend Ephraim Spaulding fell ill and returned to Massachusetts in 1836, a medical missionary named Reverend Dwight Baldwin and his family moved into this house, and the legend of the pioneers of Maui began.

Newly married Baldwin and his wife Charlotte Fowler set sail from New England, bypassing Cape Horn in South America, and finally arrived at Oahu Island after a six-month voyage. They were first sent to Hawaii and arrived on Maui Island in 1835. This couple has eight children, all born in Hawaii, although two children died of dysentery before the age of three.

As their family expands, the house is also getting bigger. In 1840, an additional bedroom and a medical study were added, and in 1849, the entire second floor was completed, which is the structure seen today. The house faces the prevailing winds from the ocean, with large windows in front, consisting of 24 inch thick walls and high ceilings to keep the interior cool.

The Baldwins live a busy and energetic life in La Haina, opening their doors to tired travelers and captains to stay overnight. They often receive members of the Hawaiian royal family and visiting consuls at home, which has always been a bustling activity center.

Pastor Baldwin and his wife lived in La Haina until 1868, then moved to Oahu Island and retired near their daughter. Charlotte Baldwin passed away at the age of 67, and Dwight Baldwin lived to the age of 88.

In 1967, the heirs of the Baldwin family transferred the Baldwin House to the La Haina Restoration Foundation. Based on careful literature and archaeological research, it has been restored to the design of the mid-19th century. Inside are original photos and artifacts, as well as donated furniture representing the 1850s. The Baldwin House Museum is recorded in the American Historical Architecture Survey of the Library of Congress. It will always remain in the public domain as a sincere tribute to Dr. Baldwin and his outstanding contributions to the Maui community.

La Haina Banyan Tree: How It Was Formed

On the court square in the center of La Haina, the most eye-catching giant banyan tree dominates. Its circumference is a quarter mile, and its octopus like limbs extend outward, spreading a huge network of branches, leaves, and air roots towards the surrounding streets and buildings. It is extraordinary, almost surreal, and looks more like a magical prop from Tim Burton's movies than an organism in real life. How did this "giant" take root in the small port of La Haina? The story goes like this:

The huge banyan tree located in the center of the town for 150 years before the fire burned down

This tree was planted on the site of the first palace of Emperor Kamehameha in 1873. It is now over 60 feet tall, with 46 main tree trunks in addition to its massive original trunk, providing shade for nearly two-thirds of an acre. The Maoyi County Tree Art Committee carefully maintains the health and shape of this magnificent tree. It is the largest banyan tree in the entire United States. In recent years, the Court Square has been renamed as "Banyan Tree Park" in commemoration. The La Haina Restoration Foundation is responsible for managing the site of the park.

Over the years, the Lahaina banyan tree has played many roles. Firstly, this is a great place to relax. After a long day of sightseeing and shopping, several benches scattered under the big canopy, allowing tired feet to rest. This is also the favorite of photographers. The long, undulating branches and slender roots form an interesting background. In April of this year, it also celebrated its 150th birthday, which was well received by tourists and honeymooners.

[This article is compiled and reported by the official website of the La Haina Restoration Foundation, ART news, Southern Metropolis Daily, and other comprehensive sources]