One Year Later: Life After the Lahaina Wildfires

It is hard to believe that one year has passed since the Lahaina and Kula wildfires on August 8, 2023. In many ways it seems like it was yesterday while also feeling like we have lived 100 lifetimes. We now know that it was the largest US wildfire with 102 lives lost. There were over 2,000 structures burned to the ground, leaving more than 7000 people houseless. Two schools were lost- King Kamehameha III Elementary School and Sacred Hearts School.  Countless businesses, restaurants, stores, livelihoods, the list goes on. The historic Front Street is gone but will never be forgotten.

A Week of Remembrance

The Lahaina and Kula communities joined together, with the support of Maui County, to plan a series of remembrance events to mark the first anniversary of the wildfires. This week is presented as Kuhinia Maui. Per their website, the name is taken from a Maui chant that proudly refers to the unequaled beauty and richness of Maui.

The week began on August 8, 2024 with a paddle out at Hanaka’o’o Beach Park in Lahaina. It is estimated over 3,000 people attended, either by boat, surfboard or standing on the beach. A poignant moment was when a helicopter circling above did a flower drop onto the paddlers. Other events included the Lahaina Obon Festival, a luncheon for the Kupuna, and a reunion of the cast of Ulalena. The Garden was created in the Amphitheatre of the Lahaina Civic Center as a place for comfort and healing for the survivors.

One Year Later

If I could summarize what’s happening on Maui now in two words, I would say hopeful and challenging. It may seem to some that the “rebuild” is taking a long time but please keep in mind that this was the largest fire in modern history and we lost a historic town. Much care needs to go into planning and rebuilding so that this can NEVER happen again. Initial estimations were that rebuilding would start in 5-10 years. It is going much quicker than expected.

Almost 100% of residential lots have been cleared by the Army Corp of Engineers. They have employed many local workers, and this has been very personal for them. The County of Maui has hired 4 Leaf, Inc. to help in expediting building permits. There is now an Office of Recovery opened in West Maui. More than 100 applications for rebuilding permits have been submitted, and over 30 permits have been issued. Almost 10 homes have already started construction. More than 48% of the commercial buildings have now been cleared.

There is much to feel hopeful about, but the survivors continue to face many challenges. Homeowners are paying mortgages on burnt down homes, and many don’t have enough to rebuild so are needing to take out another mortgage to do so. Some may be coming to terms with the fact that they may not be able to rebuild. They are being faced with the excruciating decision of what to do next. Some are talking to the Lahaina Community Land Trust as one option. Some are choosing to sell their graveled lots. Some are going to leave it empty with hopes that things change in the future. No matter what, every survivor in Lahaina needs to be supported with whatever decision they make. Many people’s insurance ran out on 8/8/24, and Maui rents are very high, making it difficult for renters.

My Update

My family has put in our application this week to get our building permits. On the surface this is exciting, but we are coming to terms with being one of the first to rebuild with nothing around us and no town. We have made so many huge decisions this year, and we won’t know if they were the right ones for a long time. We are hoping our magical community, known as Shark Pit, rises up from the ashes with us. We hope our neighbors can find their way home.

The Reader ‘Ohana visiting their property on the one year anniversary of the fire that changed their lives forever.

Maui Still Needs Your Help

As we continue to work together towards rebuilding Lahaina, the people of Maui need as much support, love and aloha as you can spare. Since the fires, tourism is way down. This is giving us space to heal, but our economy is mostly supported by tourism. Tourists are welcome, but please come with aloha and know there are still people hurting and struggling. Support local businesses and tip well!

The Hawaii Community Foundation has been committed to the immediate and long-term needs of Maui. You can continue to give to their Maui Strong Fund. The Maui Pono Foundation continues to give to wildfire survivors and small businesses directly impacted by the fire. Maui Preparatory Academy took in more than 140 new students last August after the wildfires, maximizing the limits of the school. Many of these students were able to attend this tuition-based school for free. As the new school year starts, Maui Prep wants to continue to support these new students, as well as the many continuing students who were also impacted by the fires (loss of house, family business, etc). A donation to Maui Prep directly impacts a student.

Mahalo

I want to thank everyone who has helped my family and the Maui community over the past year. The outpouring of kindness has been overwhelming. Please don’t forget about us. There will forever be a before and after. But right now there is hope.