One year after a devastating wildfire ravaged the historic town of Lahaina, the community of Maui gathered to honor the 102 lives lost in the tragedy. On Thursday, dozens of surfers, canoe paddlers, and boat riders made their way into the ocean off Lahaina to participate in a traditional “paddle out” ceremony, a ritual in Hawaii to remember and honor loved ones.
Spectators crowded the beach park, leaving little room to move as they watched the surfers paddle out into the waters. The air was filled with the sounds of conch shells being blown from both shore and sea, while others gently released flower petals into the ocean, creating a poignant scene of collective remembrance.
“Today we’re remembering the 102 loved ones we lost, the many injured, those who lost their homes,” Governor Josh Green said at a news conference. “We are grieving for them, still.”
Rebuilding Lives and Homes
The wildfire that struck on August 8, 2023, destroyed more than 2,200 homes and left 12,000 people without housing. Over the past year, thousands have found temporary refuge in hotels and have gradually been moving into rental apartments, houses, and temporary modular homes as efforts to rebuild permanent housing continue.
Rebuilding the town is expected to take years. The county has started issuing building permits for lots in the burn zone, but challenges persist. A chronic housing shortage, which existed even before the fire, has made recovery efforts more difficult. The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement estimates that at least 1,500 Lahaina households—about a quarter of those who lost homes—have left Maui since the fire.
The Fate of Lahaina’s Trees
Arborists estimate that Lahaina lost approximately 25,000 trees in the wildfire, including many fruit trees like mango, avocado, lychee, and breadfruit that once flourished in residents’ yards. However, hope remains rooted in the survival of the town’s most iconic tree—the majestic, sprawling 150-year-old banyan tree on historic Front Street. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of arborists, the banyan tree survived the blaze.
Efforts have also been made to save breadfruit trees, known as ulu in Hawaiian. These trees hold significant cultural importance, as they were among the edible plants brought to Hawaii by Polynesian voyagers around 1,000 years ago. The center of Lahaina was once known as Malu ulu o Lele, or “the shaded breadfruit grove of Lele,” highlighting the tree’s historical significance to the community.
Environmental Recovery
The environmental impact of the wildfire extends beyond the loss of homes and trees. Scientists are studying how chemicals and metals from burned plastics, lead paint, and lithium-ion batteries might affect offshore coral reef ecosystems. Despite these concerns, Hawaii’s Department of Health has determined that it is safe to surf and swim in the waters off Lahaina after reviewing water samples collected by researchers.
Cleanup efforts have been extensive. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency removed toxic debris shortly after the fire, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been clearing charred rubble and ash from over 1,300 residential and 60 commercial lots. The debris is currently being stored at a temporary site, with plans to move it to a permanent disposal location.
Looking Forward
In response to the tragedy, the Maui Fire Department has received funding to add 29 firefighters to its force, and the Maui Emergency Management Agency is gaining 13 more workers. The county is adopting a more proactive approach in notifying residents during emergencies, with officers going door-to-door when evacuations are necessary.
“We are taking those steps to, again, get ahead of these types of fires that have been happening,” Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said at a news conference.
Governor Green emphasized the need to accelerate the construction of transitional housing over the next year, acknowledging the challenges ahead. “This is the 12-month period where a ton of housing will be authorized. In fact, one of the bigger challenges we’re going to have is: can we get enough construction workers?” he said, noting that finding housing for workers amid the ongoing shelter shortage will be one of the difficulties.
As Maui continues to heal and rebuild, the collective spirit of its people remains strong, honoring the past while looking toward a hopeful future.
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Maui remembers the 102 lost in wildfire a year after devastating blaze
cgtn.com
