Old Courthouse

Seaside of the banyan tree stands Lahaina's Old Courthouse, built in 1859. The location overlooking the bustling harbor was no coincidence. Smuggling was so rampant during the whaling era that officials deemed this theideal spot to house the customs operations, the courthouse and the jail - all neatly wrapped into a single building. It also held the governor's office, and in 1898 the US annexation of Hawaii was formally concluded here.

The old jail in the basement has been turned into the Banyan Tree Gallery and the cells that once held drunken sailors now display fine artwork. It's a fun place to walk through. One of the cells displays fascinating period photos showing the courthouse and banyan tree as they looked a century ago. All the art, jewelry and woodwork on sale here are creations of island artists who operate the gallery as a cooperative.