Lahaina Marks 3 Years: Front Street Reopens but Housing Recovery Lags
Multiple sources report that as the third anniversary of the August 8, 2023 Lahaina wildfire approaches, recovery is showing visible progress — including the reopening of Front Street to traffic — but thousands of survivors remain in temporary housing and continue to face serious hardships. Rebuilding data and a new health study both underscore that […]
UH Study: Lahaina Survivors’ Mental Health Declining Three Years After Fire
A University of Hawaii study finds that while Lahaina wildfire survivors are making progress on housing and employment, mental health outcomes — particularly for children — continue to worsen. Researchers have conducted over 4,000 appointments for 2,500+ participants and are launching new programs to connect rural residents to care. The Maui Wildfire Exposure Study reports […]
Three Years After Lahaina Fire: Homes, Permits, and Recovery Milestones
As the third anniversary of the August 8, 2023 Maui wildfires approaches, multiple sources are reporting on the state of recovery efforts across housing, permitting, and community support. A nonprofit rent-to-own housing program is preparing to place fire survivor families in homes by month’s end, while the governor’s office is highlighting broader rebuild progress including […]
Front Street Reopens to Traffic a Week Before Wildfire Anniversary
Maui County has reopened Lahaina’s Front Street to vehicle traffic as of August 1, ahead of the three-year anniversary of the 2023 wildfire. Some survivors opposed the timing, while officials are monitoring the area and asking visitors to respect private property and the site’s significance. Front Street in Lahaina reopened to vehicle traffic on Saturday, […]
Front Street Reopens to Traffic Three Years After Lahaina Fire, But Rebuilding Lags
Multiple outlets are marking the third anniversary of the August 8, 2023 Lahaina wildfire with coverage of a significant milestone: Front Street has officially reopened to vehicles and the public. While the reopening signals progress, commercial rebuilding remains deeply stalled, with not a single building permit yet issued for destroyed Front Street businesses. Front Street […]
Maui County Schedules Aug. 12 Lahaina Recovery Meeting With Multi-Agency Updates
Maui County is hosting a Lahaina Community Meeting on August 12, 2026, moved from its usual first-Wednesday slot to honor the third anniversary of the 2023 wildfires. Topics include contractor fraud, housing reconstruction, the Lahaina bypass extension, and county recovery updates. The meeting takes place August 12 at 5:30 p.m. at Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria, […]
Judge Caps Maui Fire Attorney Fees; Law Firms Appeal Ruling
A Maui judge limited attorney fees in the Lahaina wildfire settlement to 3–8%, well below the 25% allowed under Hawaii law. Several law firms are appealing, arguing the ruling violates their contracts with clients. Judge Peter Cahill capped attorney fees at 8% for pre-settlement cases and 3% for clients who joined after the settlement was […]
Lahaina Recreation Center Gets $2.4M Playground, Done by Fall 2027
Maui County broke ground on a $2.4 million playground at the Lahaina Recreation Center, featuring large shade structures and ADA-accessible amenities. Construction is expected to wrap up in fall 2027. The $2.4 million project will add a new playground at the Lahaina Recreation Center, with completion targeted for fall 2027. The site will feature the […]
Hawaii Business Magazine Earns Top Journalism Honors for Lahaina Recovery Coverage
Hawaii Business Magazine won 23 awards at the Hawaii Society of Professional Journalists annual competition, including recognition for its reporting on Lahaina’s post-fire recovery. The wins led all media organizations in both first-place and total awards. Hawaii Business Magazine took home 23 statewide journalism awards, including nine first-place prizes, more than any other media outlet. […]
Lahaina Boat Captains Who Rescued Fire Survivors Win $1.1M on NBC Game Show
Multiple Hawaii Public Radio reports cover the story of Chrissy Lovitt and Emma Nelson, a married couple and Lahaina business owners, who won $1.1 million on NBC’s game show ‘The Wall.’ The couple, owners of Maui Ocean Adventures, lost their charter boat in the 2023 Lahaina wildfires but used a smaller vessel to rescue dozens […]