The Maui Fires In Photos: Devastation And Recovery
The Aug. 8 fires in Lahaina and Upcountry killed at least 115 people and left thousands more without their homes and businesses. Here’s a look back at the past two weeks.
Photo essays since the Aug. 8 wildfires on Maui.
The Aug. 8 fires in Lahaina and Upcountry killed at least 115 people and left thousands more without their homes and businesses. Here’s a look back at the past two weeks.
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023On Aug. 8, wildfires nearly destroyed the historic town of Lahaina and burned numerous structures in Upcountry. At least 100 people died in Lahaina, making it the most deadly U.S. wildfire in the last century. Much of the month of August was spent just trying to figure out what happened and coming to grips with the enormity of the situation.
This week, recovery and rebuilding usurped search and rescue as the primary focus following the Aug. 8 fires in Lahaina and Upcountry. Community members came out this past week demanding to be heard.
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023Homeowners were allowed to return to the burn zone in phases, while the gruesome task of identifying fire victims continued. Displaced residents struggled to find stability, and a high school football victory provided the community with a much-needed moment of unity.
Thousands packed the War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku on Saturday to see Lahainaluna High School battle Baldwin. The game, which the Lunas won 42-0, brought the community together after the Aug. 8 fires.
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023Gov. Josh Green declared West Maui reopen for tourism despite significant pushback from some in the community. Concerns grew over how to deal with toxic ash in the burn zone, and housing for displaced residents remained a problem. Students returned to class in Lahaina, marking a new phase in the fire recovery.
Government officials began to settle on options for dealing with various problems arising from the fires. A plan was put in place to bury toxic waste at Olowalu. Incentives were offered to homeowners who would rent long-term to fire victims. Lawmakers began drafting legislation to debate in the upcoming session. Still, people shuffled between hotel rooms and worried about finances.
Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023Families were growing weary of shuttling from hotel to hotel four months after the fire, while officials looked for more ways to provide financial relief to Lahaina residents. The governor weighed a moratorium on short-term rentals and some fire survivors began to plan for a future outside of Hawaii.
The Maui police chief sat down with the Civil Beat Editorial Board for the first time since the Aug. 8 fires. A temporary landfill in Olowalu was built to hold all the toxic debris and fire waste from Lahaina as the next phase of the cleanup began. Water and air quality sampling increased. Thousands gathered for a unity march. And the 2024 legislative session got underway with leaders declaring Maui’s recovery their top priority.
Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2024The temporary landfill in Olowalu started filling up, and a permanent dump site for fire debris was chosen. Maui’s new planning director was confirmed. Dignitaries marked the six-month anniversary of the wildfires. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg became the latest from the Biden administration to visit. And a few businesses reopened on Front Street.
The commercial debris cleanup in Lahaina began seven months after the Aug. 8 fires. Survivors worked through challenges in accessing aid and housing. Officials navigated issues with the temporary and permanent landfills for all the fire debris. Mayor Bissen delivered an emotional State of the County address. The state continued hammering out its budget while the mayor proposed his spending plan for the county.
David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024