New trees take root in Lahaina two years after wildfires

On the two-year anniversary of the deadly wildfires in Lahaina, the Arbor Day Foundation distributed hundreds of trees in hopes of helping replant the tree canopy.

The organization reports to have given away more than 580 trees alongside its Maui planting partner The Outdoor Circle in collaboration with Treecovery Hawaii and The Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows.

"Recovery from a wildfire of this scale can take years, but the Arbor Day Foundation is committed to being here for the long haul," said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, in a news release. "We know trees won't replace all of what's been lost in Lahaina, but they can help grow new roots of resilience and nurture hope for the future."

The trees were given to community members and families affected by the wildfire Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire, and the event at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows was also designed to help address local food insecurity.

According to the Hawaii Foodbank, 30% of households in the state are food insecure -- approximately twice the national average. As part of the effort to increase the availability of fresh healthy food, 94% of the trees distributed Friday were fruit or food producing trees.

"The Outdoor Circle is honored to help re-tree Lahaina after the tragic fires of 2023," said Dr. Myles Ritchie, Programs Director, The Outdoor Circle. "The support from United Airlines and the Arbor Day Foundation has allowed our organization, in conjunction with Treecovery and the Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, to be able to provide hundreds of free trees to the Lahaina community as part of the ongoing recovery."

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit that has invested in assisting disaster-affected communities and forestlands since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

According to the Outdoor Circle, it is Hawaii’s oldest environmental nonprofit, having advocated for the planting and protection of trees across the state since 1912.

“To have a chance to work with The Outdoor Circle and The Arbor Day Foundation on replenishing the loss of fruit trees in Lahaina is amazing," said Duane Sparkman, the founder and President of Treecovery Hawaii, chief engineer at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows. "Partnerships like this make long-term recovery efforts possible.”