Lahaina’s Front Street Gains Federal Opportunity Zone Status to Draw Private Investment
Hawaii has designated Lahaina’s Front Street corridor as a federal Opportunity Zone 2.0, making it eligible for tax-incentivized private investment. The designation is intended to channel capital into housing, healthcare, and economic recovery in the fire-affected area. Gov. Josh Green announced 25 statewide Opportunity Zone 2.0 designations, including Lahaina’s Front Street and Kula Makai in […]
King Kamehameha III Elementary Rebuild Plans Revealed, Construction Starting Soon
The state has released new renderings for the replacement King Kamehameha III Elementary School in Lahaina, with construction set to begin early 2027. The project has $146 million allocated and must be completed by 2029 to retain federal funding. The new school will be built in Kuʻia, away from its original Front Street location due […]
West Maui’s Two Major Shopping Centers Sell for $155M to New Owner
11North Partners acquired Lahaina Cannery and Lahaina Gateway from U.S. Realty Partners in a $155 million deal financed partly by a $96 million PNC Bank loan. The two grocery-anchored centers together attract roughly 5 million customer visits annually. Lahaina Cannery (145,839 sq ft) and Lahaina Gateway (136,045 sq ft) sold together for $155M, reflecting strong […]
Lahaina Residents Mark Three Years of Slow, Uneven Recovery
Three years after the 2023 Lahaina wildfire, residents and business owners describe a recovery that is progressing but uneven, with residential rebuilding lagging behind commercial reopenings. Community members express ongoing concerns about funding gaps, government approvals, and whose priorities are shaping Lahaina’s future. Lahaina Jodo Mission’s 90-year-old reverend has returned to the temple grounds in […]
Lahaina Recovery Meeting to Cover School Rebuild, SMA Permitting Changes
A Lahaina Community Meeting on Oct. 7 will include updates on rebuilding King Kamehameha III Elementary School and a new county directive to streamline Special Management Area permitting for reconstruction near Front Street. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria and will also be livestreamed on Maui County’s Facebook page. A […]
DOE-Backed Energy Planning Results Coming to Lahaina Community in October
The Lahaina Energy Partnership will host two virtual presentations in October to share findings from U.S. Department of Energy technical assistance on Lahaina’s long-term energy recovery and planning. Topics include renewable energy generation, building energy design, microgrids, and grid hardening. Two virtual community presentations are scheduled for October 6 and October 20, each running 5:30–7:30 […]
Keola Beamer Concert Saturday at MACC Honors Lahaina and Fire Survivors
Hawaiian music legend Keola Beamer releases his first new single in 16 years, ‘Lahaina Ola Hou,’ a tribute to his hometown ahead of a Saturday performance at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. The song, inspired by his personal grief over the 2023 fire, will be performed alongside Henry Kapono and Jerry Santos at a […]
Temporary Lahaina Library Unit Installed, Opening Targeted for Early 2027
Multiple outlets reported that Hawaii’s State Public Library System has taken a concrete step toward restoring library services to West Maui after the 2023 Lahaina wildfire. A self-contained temporary unit was installed at the Lahaina Civic Center’s upper parking lot on Tuesday, with an anticipated opening in early 2027 pending electrical and IT setup. A […]
Free Monthly Lahaina Community Gathering Returns Sept. 19 with Cultural Activities
The Paʻūpili Lahaina 3rd Saturdays event resumes September 19, 2026, at Lahaina United Methodist Church, offering free cultural programming, live entertainment, and community resources for wildfire-impacted residents. The free event runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Lahaina United Methodist Church. This month’s gathering is co-hosted with the Office of Hawaiian […]
Nonprofit Launches Free Rain Catchment Program for 120 West Maui Fire-Affected Homes
The Hua Momona Foundation is distributing free, portable rain catchment systems and training to 120 West Maui households as part of its ongoing Lahaina wildfire recovery efforts. The renter-friendly kits are funded by a Hawaiʻi Community Foundation grant and are designed to support water resilience and backyard food production. 120 West Maui households will receive […]