A notable piece of living history has been removed from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort after reportedly dying from recent cold weather.

Walt Disney World’s One-of-a-Kind Hawaiian Tree

The Polynesian Resort’s one-of-a-kind kukui nut tree was cut down in late June after Disney horticulturalists determined the tree could no longer survive in the wake of a uniquely difficult Florida winter.

The large tropical tree was located to the rear of the Great Ceremonial House, just off a guest footpath. According to a 2020 Forestry Journal feature, it was believed to be the only tree of its kind in mainland North America.

The tree, Aleurites moluccana, was donated to Disney by the people of Hawaiʻi and planted at the resort on April 5, 1997, the 25th anniversary of the opening of Magic Kingdom.

The kukui tree carried particular significance as the state tree of Hawaiʻi from 1959 forward, and it is still regarded as an important cultural symbol of the state. The tree at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort had been transplanted directly from Hawaiʻi, with a time capsule reportedly placed in the soil around its roots and base when it was planted.

In accordance with a traditional Hawaiian custom, according to the Forestry Journal piece, the kukui tree was planted behind the Great Ceremonial House rather than at the front, and it was deliberately planted by one lucky hotel guest, rather than a Cast Member. The article explained that this reflected a Hawaiian belief that kukui trees should be planted toward the rear, or “hale,” of a home and by a stranger to bring good luck.

In our photos, crews are seen working in the landscaped area near the resort’s longhouses and the Lava Pool. Orange cones and barricades block off portions of the walkway, with a utility vehicle and equipment nearby. The tree had been cut down, with a tall remaining trunk section visible where the kukui tree once stood.

At Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the tree helped support the resort’s South Pacific placemaking. The tree’s distinct light green, silvery leaves, striking trunk, and small green fruits stood out against native Florida trees and even other tropical trees planted at the resort.

For much of the kikui’s tree life, a Moreton Bay fig tree grew nearby on the opposite side of an adjacent footpath, another transplant tree which itself was removed some time around 2022.

The Facebook group Tikiman’s Unofficial Polynesian Resort Pages made a post regarding the tree’s removal, detailing that the recent unusual cold weather at the resort was too much to bear.

The tree had, however, a history of surviving violent Florida weather. A Disney Resort Team member told Forestry Journal that the kukui tree had been struck by lightning twice, survived hurricanes, nearly been uprooted, and endured prior cold snaps before this latest reported decline.

It is not currently known whether Disney plans to replace the kukui tree, or whether the reported time capsule at its base was removed, returned to the ground, or preserved elsewhere. We will keep you updated

Do you have any memories or photos of the kukui tree during its time at the Polynesian? Please share your memories with us on social media.

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The following is a news release from Idaho Fish and Game.

POCATELLO – Over the last three weeks, Idaho Fish and Game Southeast Region personnel have been responding to numerous raccoon calls from the public in the Pocatello and Chubbuck areas. These reports have included observations of raccoons “acting sick” or lethargic, even appearing injured or lingering in plain view during daylight hours—which is not typical raccoon behavior.

Fish and Game Senior Conservation Officer Tyler Peterson of Pocatello says that reports from the public have recently increased, with him taking raccoon calls even on weekends and after hours.

“Almost daily we get a report of a raccoon that appears sick or acting abnormally,” Peterson says. “Some callers have reported that the animals appear blind or like their eyes are ‘glued shut’. Raccoons have also been observed out in the open just sitting on a sidewalk or in someone’s driveway during the middle of the day.”

Such reported symptoms and behaviors can be typical of canine distemper, a highly contagious disease caused by a paramyxovirus, and in fact, one of the raccoons submitted for testing came back positive for the disease. Additional carcasses are awaiting testing.

Dr. Nicole Walrath, wildlife veterinarian with Idaho Fish and Game’s Wildlife Health & Forensic Laboratory says, “Canine distemper is a widespread disease primarily affecting canids, raccoons, and skunks. It is not transmissible to humans. Clinical signs typically include discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, coughing, weight loss, fearlessness around humans, among other symptoms.”

Canine distemper is always present at some level within certain wildlife populations, with most wildlife distemper cases occurring in the spring and fall. However, it is not known why so many raccoons are apparently displaying distemper symptoms in this part of southeast Idaho at this time. What is known is that this disease is almost 100% fatal to animals like racoons and skunks.

What should you do to protect your pets?

Transmission occurs from contact with infected saliva, urine, feces or respiratory secretions from infected animals. The virus is resistant to cold, and the majority of cases in domestic dogs occur in the fall and winter. The disease can be fatal in dogs, which is why it is important for pet owners to consult their veterinarians about vaccinations and other recommended precautions for pets.

Keep your pets away from live raccoons and carcasses. To dispose of a raccoon carcass, wear gloves and a mask during handling and place the carcass in a bag before disposing in a trash receptacle.

What should you do if you observe a live raccoon on or near your property?

Remember, not all raccoons have distemper, and people and pets live alongside raccoons with little conflict or issues most of the time. They can even be fun to watch, though it is always a good idea for you and your pets to maintain a safe distance from raccoons or any wildlife for that matter.

If you have concerns or questions about a live raccoon that is exhibiting unusual symptoms or behavior, you can contact Idaho Fish and Game. Please note that Fish and Game will use a set of criteria to determine the best course of action for a homeowner, and we will NOT be dispatching or retrieving all raccoons that are reported.

What does this mean for local wildlife populations?

Wildlife canine distemper will continue to naturally persist in wildlife populations. The recent increase in incidences of canine distemper in the Pocatello and Chubbuck areas will likely not cause catastrophic changes to raccoon populations and is expected to decline as the summer progresses. Fish and Game will continue to monitor this situation in these and other southeast Idaho communities.

How do you discourage raccoons from coming onto your deck, porch, or getting into your house? Remove attractants and block access points to decks, garages or to your home. For those who feed wild birds or pets outside, consider storing food in secure containers or bring these food items indoors at night. Clean spilled birdseed and other food attractants from your deck or porch daily. Secure outdoor garbage receptacles to prevent access to hungry raccoons. Keep pet doors/access to your home or garage closed during the night when raccoons are most active.