Residents are organizing neighborhood watch patrols to combat increasing crime in Lahaina’s burn zone as more people return to the recovering community. Police calls have increased significantly in 2026 compared to 2025, with limited police resources covering the area.
- Police calls in Lahaina burn zone jumped from 1,009 in early 2025 to 1,322 in the same period of 2026.
- More than 200 homes have been rebuilt with another 300 under construction, bringing residents back gradually.
- Residents formed ‘Nā Maka ‘O Lahaina’ neighborhood watch program to patrol for trespassers, thieves, and squatters.
- Only five patrol officers and one sergeant cover Lahaina per shift, compared to about a dozen in Wailuku.
- Common issues include speeding cars, lumber theft, abandoned vehicles, and people occupying vacant lots.
Source: Maui Now
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