LIHU’E – A community group is spearheading an effort to save a 105-year-old Chinese banyan tree that was partially burned in an Aug. 3 brush fire. The tree, protected by county law, was planted in 1895 by G.N. Wilcox, the
LIHU’E – A community group is spearheading an effort to save a 105-year-old Chinese banyan tree that was partially burned in an Aug. 3 brush fire.
The tree, protected by county law, was planted in 1895 by G.N. Wilcox, the founder of Grove Farm Co., one of Kauai’s largest sugar plantations.
Friends of Auntie Sarah Kailikea, 89, have joined her in her effort to save the tree.
Kailikea knew Wilcox when she was a young girl, remembers him fondly and lives next to the tree.
The tree is a living link to Wilcox, one of Kaua’i’s most exceptional pioneers, according to The Committee to Save the Wilcox Banyan.
The group has begun recruiting members and has developed a restoration plan under the direction of professional arborists.
To prevent future brush fires like the one earlier this month that damaged the tree and nearly reached Kaua’i High School, volunteers will clear out underbrush and debris from the arena, the committee said.
A small park could be created out of jungle vegetation that surrounds the tree, according to the committee.
The park could include a garden of endemic Kaua’i plants and a plaque honoring Wilcox.
Help will come from a neighbor. Because a large portion of the tree extends onto the grounds of the neighboring Banyan Harbor Resort, the resort has agreed to work with the committee.
“It’s a beautiful tree, and Banyan Harbor is involved in preserving it perpetually because it is such an asset,” said Chris Gampon, the resort’s general manager. “The board is completely behind preserving the tree.” The committee is planing a presentation to the Kaua’i County Council Aug. 30.
Kailikea said she also will make a presentation.
Wilcox planted the tree on an easement between his property and that of a neighboring property owner. Over the next hundred years, the tree grew, reaching a height of nearly 100 feet and becoming the largest banyan tree in Hawaii, according to the committee.
Trunks grew out from the tree and spread, covering a space of at least one square mile, Kailikea said.
But in 1992, Hurricane Iniki lopped off the top half of the tree.
Subsequently, a neighboring landowner cut a hole through a part of the tree for a road, the committee said.
Two weeks ago, the brush fire burned a large chunk of the old tree, the committee said.
Kailikea, 89, a well-known kupuna (grandparent), has strived to protect the tree because of her fondness for Wilcox.
“He gave so much to so many children to further their education,” Kailikea said. “He was humble, quiet and easy to talk to. He was a good and generous man and very open-hearted to the Hawaiian people.” Additional information on the preservation project is Carol Lovell, director of the Kaua’i Museum, at 245-6931, or Evelyn Cook, a committee member, at 822-1781.
Other committee members include Katie Cassel, Koke’e Museum resource conservation project director; Nina Magoun, Outdoor Circle board member; Cynthia Schur, publisher of The Garden Island, and Pat Jenkins, editor of The Garden Island.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225)
