Maui Tourism Rebounds Strongly After 2023 Lahaina Fire: What Travelers Need to Know

While the recovery, which will take several years, from the massive August 8, 2023, fire that destroyed more than 2,200 homes and buildings in Lahaina is ongoing, Maui’s hotels and condominiums in the nearby Kaanapali resort area, along the Napili Coast to Honokowai, Kapalua, Kahana and elsewhere on the island are open as usual.

The iconic town may never be the same, but the beaches, hotels, golf courses, shops, and restaurants to the north of Lahaina escaped unscathed by the disaster. For travelers who have been to Lahaina and West Maui in the past, love the island, but want to check out some other areas, the less hectic town of Kihei and adjacent Wailea are fully open and were not affected by the wildfires.

As the second largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago trailing only the Big Island, Maui is expansive with most of the top sites many miles from Lahaina. If you have ever wanted to see the volcanic moonscape of Haleakala (10,023 feet!), take the road to Hana, see the amazing scenery at Rainbow Falls in Wailuku, or chill at unspoiled Makena Beach State Park, these and most other attractions are operational and ready to welcome you back to the Valley Isle.

Lahaina was the capital of King Kamehameha’s kingdom after he conquered Maui in 1794 and remained so until King Kamehameha III moved it to Honolulu in 1840. During the 19th century Lahaina was known as a whaling port for hunters, though today that activity has changed to whale watching excursions.

Front Street, the heart of Lahaina’s business district is one mile in length and was packed with restaurants, art galleries, scuba/snorkeling shops, t-shirt stores, and shops featuring Hawaiian products including macadamia nuts, coffee, and candies.

What Caused the Lahaina Fire?

Technically speaking, according to the Maui Department of Public Safety, known locally as the Maui Fire Department, the fire originated around 6:30 a.m. in an area of vegetation on the east side of Lahaina that was unmaintained near utility pole #25. As a result of sparks that were ejected from broken power lines above, a small brush fire broke out that was reported to officials.

The Maui Fire Department quickly responded to douse the flames, and the fire was considered to be contained by mid-morning. However, in mid-afternoon the fire flared again due to high winds in excess of 50 miles per hour. Unexpectedly it quickly spread downhill from the grassy slope above the village towards the mostly wooden structures that were Lahaina.

A confirmed 114 people lost their lives in the inferno, with some people remaining unaccounted for due to their transient lifestyle. The fierce intensity of the fire forced the evacuation of the entire town of 13,000 residents, as well as thousands of others who were vacationing in hotel and rental properties just to the north.

Maui County, which includes the lightly settled islands of Molokai and Lanai, has a population of about 180,000 people. Annual visitor figures reported by the Hawaii Visitors Bureau show that almost 3 million visitors come here each year. With 26% of the available lodging inventory in the state being on Maui, it is crucial that the drop-off in visitors post-fire be reversed quickly. Only Oahu, home to Honolulu and Waikiki Beach has more lodging inventory than Maui with 48% of the state’s total. Fortunately, only 474 rooms out of 21,367 lodging units on the island were damaged or destroyed by the fire.

What Prominent Structures Were Damaged or Destroyed by the Lahaina Wildfire?

Pioneer Inn – Located within the Lahaina Historic District which is a U.S. National Historic Landmark, the 34-room Pioneer was also a member of the Historic Hotels of America, having opened in 1901. The Best Western-branded two story property was completely destroyed in the Maui wildfires. The Pioneer Inn occupied a prime beachfront spot between Front St. and the Lahaina waterfront. The one piece of good news here was that the inn’s resident gray parrot, Alex, was rescued from his perch in the nick of time!

Plantation Inn – The 18-room bed and breakfast property was an adult-only escape from the ordinary in the heart of Lahaina, less than two blocks from Front Street which runs for a mile just off the waterfront. As with the Pioneer Inn above, the Plantation Inn was consumed by fire and declared a complete loss.

Lahaina’s Famous Banyan Tree – Lahaina lost an estimated 25,000 trees in the August 2023 wildfire. Amazingly, the largest and oldest tree dating back to 1873 when it was planted somehow survived the fire despite being singed by the extreme heat of the blaze. The tree has been a central locale for the community for 150 years, growing to a height of 60 feet with the multiple trunks encompassing nearly an acre in area. The incredible banyan tree continues to unfurl new leaves and is being given special recuperative care by Maui County appointed arborists.

Baldwin Home Museum – Totally gutted, along with the Lahaina Heritage Museum that was located inside. The 1834 colonial-style home was known for a myriad of public services provided by the Reverend Dwight Baldwin and his wife, ranging from medical and veterinary procedures, as well as school and sewing lessons. It was frequented in the 1800s by travelers, ship captains, and Hawaiian royalty, too.

Lahaina Harbor – The harbor’s infrastructure was irreparably damaged by the wind-swept fire. State officials anticipate a minimum of two years for the harbor facilities to be restored. More than 100 ships were damaged or destroyed as well, including some that offered tourist excursions for whale watching, snorkeling, and sunset cruises.

Old Lahaina Courthouse – Also completely destroyed, along with artifacts and archives from the Lahaina Heritage Museum that was located in the building. Thankfully, most of the historical records have been digitized in recent years.

Waiola Church – Christianity officially arrived in 1823 on Maui with the opening of this church. Church leaders hope to rebuild in two to three years.

Wo Hing Museum and Cookhouse – A historic building on Front Street in Lahaina that celebrated Chinese Culture in Maui. It was built in the early 1900s by the Wo Hing Society as a place for Chinese immigrants and later generations to celebrate their culture. The building was burned completely to the ground by the fire.

Old Lahaina Prison – The original Gate House and Cell Blocks of this 1852 facility were totally destroyed by the fire. It was built in the mid-19th century as a place to lock up rowdy sailors during King Kamehameha III’s reign on the island.

Paia Fish Market – The Lahaina location of this popular dining spot burned down during the fire, but the other locations in Kihei, and two spots on Oahu remain open as usual.

Fleetwood’s on Front Street – Famed musician Mick Fleetwood’s restaurant with rooftop bar was destroyed, as were Kimo’s, known for its’ signature towering hula pie, Pacif’O on the Beach, and Sale Pepe Pizzeria and Cucina.

King Kamehameha III Elementary School was destroyed and currently operates at a temporary campus nearby. The Lahaina location is being rebuilt.

Of the total 2,200 structures that were destroyed by the Lahaina fire, 96 percent were residential homes.

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

Address: 2605 Kaanapali Parkway, Lahaina, 96761, HI, US

Is Now a Good Time to Plan a Maui Vacation?

For vacationers considering Hawaii as a destination for next year and beyond, Maui should be a part of your plan. Debris from the fire has been cleared away, and it is important to note that the town of Lahaina, which was a fun place to visit during a stay on the island was not where most hotel and rental condominiums are located.

There were two historic hotels in town which sadly are now gone, as are the restaurants and shops that made Lahaina, the original capital of the Hawaiian Dynasty, so charming to explore. Lahaina was also the primary port for West Maui, where snorkeling, catamaran sailings, and whale watching trips departed from, but those businesses thankfully have been able to relocate while Lahaina rebuilds. Water-based tours now depart from Maalaea Harbor, 15 miles south of Lahaina, and from the beach itself at the Sheraton Maui Resort in Kaanapali. More than 10,000 humpback whales migrate through Hawaii’s waters during the December to April time period, making this an experience you will not want to miss.

Kaanapali Beach

Luckily, despite being just a few short miles north of Lahaina, the Kaanapali resort area was completed spared by the Lahaina fire. The sprawling area’s shops, restaurants, hotels, rental condominiums, and the beach itself were untouched.

Many of Maui’s largest and most desirable hotel properties are located here including: Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa

Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows

Aston at Papakea Resort

Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club

All of Kaanapali’s hotels are within minutes of the Whaler’s Village shopping mall, and the resort area’s two golf courses. Two additional golf courses are located a short drive north in Kapalua.

Here Today, Gone to Maui

For travelers who have been to Maui and hope to return again soon, and for those who have this spectacular island on their wish list for their first-ever visit, make your reservations NOW! Maui is OPEN, and the tourist industry on the island is looking forward to welcoming you.

In fact, because of the fire and the perception that the damage extended beyond Lahaina (it didn’t), it would not be surprising to see Maui be more affordably priced in the coming months than is the norm. Maui on sale? Hard to believe, but it is happening. Book early for the best deals.