While visiting Maui Lahaina is a cant miss community. Small shops and restarurants line Front Street, along with the gigantic Banyan Tree, a historic landmark that was planted on April 24, 1873 by William Owen Smith to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Christian Missionaries.
The interesting thing about Maui – and all of the Hawaiian Islands, is the seemingly seamless blend of culture. Everyone here seems to have a bit of this or a bit of that somewhere in their family tree. It comes of no suprise then, that just down the road from the Gigantic Tree that commemorates Christianity on Maui, there lies a Buddihst Temple that commemorates and honors Maui and Lahaina’s Japanese Heritage.
The Lahaina Jodo Mission lies just steps from the beach on Ala Moana Street, and is just across from a cemetery in the sand. The history of teh area is so intertwined with waves of immigration, all of Lahaina Town is a must see.
