Hurricane Lala brought down hundreds of trees across the islands, but most of Oʻahu’s legacy trees survived the stormy weather.
The Exceptional Tree Program, a partnership between The Outdoor Circle and county agencies, recognizes more than 1,400 trees statewide, including Lahaina’s beloved banyan. A tree has to meet certain criteria to qualify, but once it’s listed, it’s protected by state law.
Homeowners can get up to a $3,000 tax deduction every three years to help prune exceptional trees on their property. Outdoor Circle Programs Director Myles Ritchie said regular maintenance is key to the trees’ survival…