Local News

Photos: Scenes of Lahaina's restoration efforts 3 years after Maui fires

Hawaiʻi Public Radio | By Tori DeJournett

Published August 5, 2026 at 1:47 PM HST

An image of the Baldwin Home Museum three years after the 2023 wildfires in Lahaina (July 10, 2026) — The Baldwin Home Museum three years after the 2023 wildfires. According to the Lahaina Restoration Foundation, before the fires, it was the oldest house still standing on the island of Maui. (July 10, 2026)

Three years after the Maui wildfires devastated Lahaina on Aug. 8, 2023, rebuilding continues for the West Maui community.

The fire killed at least 102 people and destroyed thousands of homes, businesses and cultural landmarks. Along with the physical loss, the fire has displaced many families and disrupted long-standing community ties to homes, businesses and employment.

These photos, taken in July 2026, document snapshots of where recovery stands three years later. While some businesses have reopened and construction has progressed in parts of Lahaina, many lots remain empty, and rebuilding projects are still underway.

Front Street, once a central gathering place lined with restaurants, shops and waterfront spaces, remains a stark reminder of both what was lost and the ongoing effort to rebuild.

As Lahaina continues to recover, visitors have slowly returned to West Maui, and portions of Front Street have reopened, bringing residents and tourists back to the area for the first time since the fire. However, much of the town remains under construction, reflecting the long road that still lies ahead.

An image of the shops that had once stood on Front Street in Lahaina. — The remains of various shops that once stood on Front Street three years after the Lahaina wildfire. (July 10, 2026)

A sign reads "Government property - no trespassing" in front of the empty lots in Lahaina town (July 10, 2026). — A sign reads "Government property - no trespassing" in front of an empty lot in Lahaina town. (July 10, 2026).

The Baldwin Home Museum was a recognizable landmark in the heart of Lahaina town. Now, it stands burnt and severely damaged three years after the 2023 Maui wildfires. (July 10, 2026)

A mental fence surrounds the Old Lahaina Courthouse. — A metal fence keeps pedestrians from the grounds of the Old Lahaina Courthouse which remains under repair on Wharf Street in Lahaina. (July 10, 2026)

A tourist in a black hat takes an photo with her phone of the burnt Old Lahaina Courthouse. — A tourist takes a photo of the burnt Old Lahaina Courthouse on July 10, 2026.

A photo of the Lahaina Banyan Tree standing three years after the wildfires. (July 10, 2026 — The Lahaina Banyan Tree is still restricted to visitors with a fence that surrounds it. But, three years after the wildfires, it continues to grow back. (July 10, 2026)

An imaged of covered benches by the Lahaina Banyan Tree three years after the wildfires. — Some benches remain covered at the Lahaina Banyan Tree three years after the wildfires. (July 10, 2026)

An image of the Old Lahaina Fort on Front St. — The Old Lahaina Fort was originally built in 1831 by Governor Hoapili with the support of Queen Kaʻahumanu to protect the town from riotous sailors. The fort was damaged in the 2023 wildfires but remains standing today. (July 10, 2026)

An image of a burnt anchor from the Pioneer Inn which was one of the oldest hotel in Lahaina. — The Pioneer Inn was one of the oldest hotels in Lahaina. It was destroyed in the 2023 Lahaina fires. Now, a burnt anchor is all that remains of the historic hotel.

A melted playground at Lahaina's King Kamehameha III Elementary School, located on Front St. (July 10, 2026) — A melted playground at Lahaina's former King Kamehameha III Elementary School, located on Front Street. (July 10, 2026)

King Kamehameha III Elementary School, located at 611 Front St. still sits as an empty lot in Lahaina on July 10, 2026. — The former King Kamehameha III Elementary School, located at 611 Front St., still sits as an empty lot in Lahaina. Currently, students are attending classes at a temporary campus in Pulelehua. The school will be rebuilt at a 14-acre Kuʻia site below the Lahaina Bypass.

An excavator in Lahaina with a scoopful of dirt. — Construction and cleanup efforts are underway in Lahaina town three years after the deadly 2023 Maui wildfires. (July 10, 2026)

A sign from Nā 'Aikāne o Maui, that reads "Please keep this historic property vibrant and full of life" in front of Mokuʻula in Lahaina, Maui. — A sign from Nā 'Aikāne o Maui, one of the organizations working to restore the historic and cultural sites in the Lahaina Royal Complex. Fresh water has begun naturally flowing back to some of these areas after the 2023 Lahaina wildfires. (July 10, 2026)

An image of burned-out mailbox in front of a lot where a home once stood in Lahaina, Maui. — A burned-out mailbox in front of a lot where a home once stood. (July 10, 2026)

A house sits under construction in Lahaina nearly three years after wildfires destroyed hundreds of homes. — A house that is under construction is seen in Lahaina on July 10, 2026, nearly three years after wildfires destroyed hundreds of homes.

An image of the underground parking garage next to Lahaina Shores Beach Resort on Front Street with stangant water. The garage flooded after the 2023 Lahaina wildfires. — The underground level of the parking garage next to Lahaina Shores Beach Resort on Front Street flooded after the 2023 Lahaina wildfires. The garage's water diversion system failed during the wildfire, leaving water to return naturally to the area. (July 10, 2026)

An image of the Lahaina Lighthouse three years after the 2023 wildfires. — The Lahaina Lighthouse three years after the 2023 wildfires. (July 10, 2026)

An image of a sign that says "Lahaina Harbor Pedestrian Route" — At the end of 2025, Lahaina town near the harbor reopened for limited daytime access, according to the County Office of Recovery. Signs lined a walking path for visitors to follow. (July 10, 2026)

A view of Lahaina three years after the Maui wildfires on July 10, 2026.

The "Tear Drop of Lahaina" sculpture, located above Lahaina Bypass, was built in 2024 to honor the lives lost in the 2023 wildfires. Two years later it still stands. (July 10, 2026) — The "Tear Drop of Lahaina" sculpture, located above the Lahaina Bypass, was built in 2024 to honor the lives lost in the 2023 wildfires. Two years later, it still stands. (July 10, 2026)

An image of a memorial near the Lahaina Bypass highway that includes a cross and a photo of each of the August 2023 wildfire victims. — A memorial near the Lahaina Bypass highway includes a cross and a photo of each of the August 2023 wildfire victims. (July 10, 2026)

A rock at the memorial near the Lahaina Bypass highway that reads Lahaina with a heart. (July 10, 2026) — A rock at the memorial near the Lahaina Bypass highway that says "Lahaina" and includes a hand-drawn heart. (July 10, 2026)

Hawaiʻi Public Radio exists to serve all of Hawai’i, and it’s the people of Hawai’i who keep us independent and strong. Help keep us strong to serve you in the future. Donate today.