Lahaina Maui
Lahaina Town rebuilds, and the people of Lahaina stand strong together.
What Happened
Hurricane winds combined with dry land made for one of the most deadly wildfires in US history. Kula, Pūlehu/Kihei, Kaʻanapali, and Lahaina all lit up in the same few days. The entire town of Lahaina was burned, and we lost many residents. Thousands were immediately displaced and homeless.
Now
Lahaina’s Front Street district earned a boost for its economic recovery this week. On November 5, Governor Josh Green announced the state’s new Opportunity Zone designations, and one of only two tracts chosen on Maui is Lahaina’s Front Street census tract. The federal program offers tax incentives for long-term private investment, and the state says it could unlock hundreds of millions of dollars, with priorities including housing and a more resilient local economy. The tracts were approved after the state appealed to the U.S. Treasury. Community gatherings are also on the calendar. On November 14, Binhi at Ani will hold its annual Bayanihan Food Distribution at Lahaina Intermediate School. The next day, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe of the Episcopal Church will celebrate a service under a tent at the site of Holy Innocents Church, whose buildings were lost in 2023.
The Future
Lahaina town still exists in its people. So long as we can collect ourselves, clean up, and rebuild, Lahaina will never perish. The people of Lahaina are the strongest and proudest in the world. We’ll be rebuilding this entire website too in order to share Lahaina progress over the next decade as well as stories.
Lahaina Town Video
Lahaina is a location that was experienced by two million people, or approximately 80% of all of Maui tourism, per year. Lahaina has over a thousand years of rich history, and was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1820 to 1845. From beaches to restaurants, Lahaina was one of the top attractions for our island.
Lahaina’s Front Street has been ranked one of the “Top Ten Greatest Streets” by the American Planning Association. Visitors and locals alike enjoyed quiet relaxing strolls, as well as breaks and events under the massive Banyan tree located in the town square.
Lahaina Harbor was an attraction in itself. Vessels of all kinds departed daily for Lanai, snorkeling off the coast, dinner cruises, and whale watching. Today most trips leave from Maʻalaea, and a growing number of boats have returned to Lahaina Harbor as it is repaired.
Planning a visit to West Maui? See our guide to West Maui hotels and condos.
Maui’s Unsung Heroes
No one talks about the brave people that worked months on end without a break to do what our government should have.
Maui Luaus
Luaus support both the Hawaiian culture and residents that work in them. And they’re fun.
More Lahaina Town
Lahaina Halloween
See why tens of thousands of dressed-up party goers flooded the streets of Lahaina each year.
