A year after fires devastated Lahaina, Maui, taking 102 lives and decimating the historic town, the cleanup continues. Many residents remain without homes, and the reconstruction of destroyed houses and businesses has not begun. Developers have approached residents to buy their land, raising concerns about predatory investments.
Despite the tragedy, residents hope for a future where Lahaina is re-landscaped to be more fire-resistant and honours its Native Hawaiian heritage. The town’s history includes being the Hawaiian Kingdom’s capital and hosting a lush landscape with abundant fresh water when the first Polynesians arrived. King Kamehameha declared Lahaina the capital in 1802, constructing a brick palace in a 17-acre wetland.
The scene in Lahaina, Maui this morning is absolutely devastating.
The entire town is being destroyed by an intense wildfire, forcing residents to sheek shelter in the ocean.
Make no mistake, climate change is making scenes like this more frequent. pic.twitter.com/dttFnAwEeJ
— Edgar McGregor (@edgarrmcgregor) August 9, 2023
European arrivals in the 1800s dubbed Lahaina the “Venice of the Pacific,” marvelling at the breadfruit trees and freshwater streams. The town evolved from a fishing village to a royal capital, then a whaling centre, a plantation town, and finally a tourist destination known for its Front Street.
In central Lahaina, beneath an old baseball field, lie the remains of Moku‘ula, a sacred island that was once the site of a royal palace. The area fell into neglect after the capital moved to Honolulu in 1845, and plantations diverted much of Lahaina’s water.
Efforts to restore Moku‘ula have been ongoing, with Hawaii’s governor and Maui’s mayor pledging support. However, questions remain about what a restored Moku‘ula would entail and whether it should be accessible to visitors.
Kepa Maly, a cultural ethnographer, emphasises that Lahaina residents, especially long-term ones, should guide decisions about restoring cultural sites. Lahaina had embraced tourism after the plantations closed, focusing on its whaling past, though this period brought many negative aspects.
Water rights expert Jonathan Scheuer notes that ancient Hawaii’s legal structure based on water regulation managed resources for the common good. When plantations diverted water to resorts and luxury subdivisions, downtown Lahaina lost protection from wildfires, and abandoned sugarcane fields filled with flammable grasses.
The wildfire that ravaged Lahaina was fuelled by dry conditions, an outdated grid system, and Kaua‘ula winds. Janet Six, Principal Archaeologist for the County of Maui, stresses the importance of addressing these issues before rebuilding.
Restoring native trees and plants could help mitigate future fire risks. Noa Kekuewa Lincoln, a professor at the University of Hawaii, highlights that reforesting the mountains could enhance Lahaina’s landscape resilience and restore natural groundwater sources.
After the fire, Maui educators visited the Malama Learning Center in Oahu to learn about native plants that could reduce fire risk. Pauline Sato, the centre’s Program Director, advocates for practical solutions and community cooperation to address future fire risks and prolonged droughts.
The immediate priority for Lahaina is housing displaced residents and restoring small businesses. Future rebuilding may move structures farther from the water, similar to Hilo’s reconstruction after tsunamis. Both the governor and Maui’s mayor support creating a “historic corridor” to honour Lahaina’s past.
Restoring part of Moku‘ula could lead to a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, but only if the locals support it. Six envisions a taro patch in central Lahaina, symbolising the return of native plants and hope amidst despair. Lincoln also sees the tragedy as an opportunity for a fresh start and correcting past mistakes.