LIHU’E – Auntie Sarah Malino Kailikea, 89, talked to the Kaua`i County Council Wednesday about her beloved 105-year-old banyan tree in Nawiliwili. With the aid of three maps, she talk-storied the tree’s history, planted by George Norton Wilcox in 1895.
LIHU’E – Auntie Sarah Malino Kailikea, 89, talked to the Kaua`i County Council
Wednesday about her beloved 105-year-old banyan tree in Nawiliwili.
With
the aid of three maps, she talk-storied the tree’s history, planted by George
Norton Wilcox in 1895.
Wilcox was a businessman who made millions on Kaua`i
and gave millions back to the island in philanthropy before his death in 1933.
Wilcox Memorial Hospital was named in his honor.
The tree, recently damaged
by an arsonist, must be protected, according to Kalikea.
No decisions were
made by the council about what officially can be done by the county to aid in
the protection of the banyan. But the entire council paid close attention to
Kalikea’s 30-minute presentation.
She spoke fluently and without pause,
without any aids other than her maps.
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can
be reached at 245-3681 and dwilken@pulitzer.net
