The Stories

Sitting at the edge of scorched Lahaina Town and makai of the Lahaina Cannery Mall, the Old Lahaina Lūʻau reopens to tourism for the first time since the Aug. 8 wildfire.

Tomodachi Kibou for Maui, a new Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi program is preparing to depart for Higashimatsushima, Miyagi, Japan with 11 students who were impacted by the Lahaina wildfires on Maui in August 2023.

A group rallying to help secondary victims of the August fires is asking Gov. Josh Green to extend protections for tenants facing evictions from landlords seeking more lucrative rental income tied to subsidized housing for wildfire survivors.

Tails Up Maui, a restaurant in Paukūkalo, reopened on Jan. 26 after a transformative period of community service.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. today released a video documenting his visit to Lahaina, where he went to see firsthand the devastation from the wildfire that destroyed much of the historic town six months ago. Kennedy surveyed the site of last summer’s wildfire with two long-time residents—Eddy Garcia and Janet Spriter—who weighed in on the federal government’s response.

The song, “Yonder Lahaina Mountains,” was released on Dec. 31 and features the voices of musical artists Kaleo Phillips, Marvin Tevaga and Kapena DeLima, along with the Kamehameha Schools Maui Ensemble choir and hula dancers. Affectionately known as “The Boarder’s Song,” it was originally composed by Alice K. K. Banham. Phillips, who was among those who lost his home in the August wildfires, said the inspiration for recording the song with KS Maui came to him in a dream.

Kamehameha Schools Maui high school senior Kealoha Baricuatro has been named a finalist for the 2024 Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award. Baricuatro, who tragically lost her father due to COVID-19, and lost her home during the Maui wildfires, was selected as one of 10 national finalists.

After paddling miles and hours on the ocean, two kayakers ended up off the shore of Launiupoko, and there it was: a humpback mother whale “tail sailing” beside her calf.

At the end of a nearly four-mile walk, community organizer Archie Kalepa addressed a crowd gathered at Launiupoko saying, “The depth of our grief and the warmth of our aloha is overwhelming. Today marks a different kind of point in the history of this place.”

Prayer, ʻoli (chanting) and protocol were practiced during the Lele Aloha Hoʻūlu Lahaina Unity Walk held Saturday morning in West Maui. “We need to come together all of Hawaiʻi. We have the opportunity to rebuild Lahaina in a pono way,” said Kalepa. “Lahaina will take the lead but we need everyone’s support.”

All agreed the decision was a difficult one with one member calling the choice a “lose-lose situation.” Another criticized the administration, saying the council was left out of the site selection process, and now felt pressure to approve or lose funding.

Maui Firefighter Tanner Mosher was honored with a ceremonial resolution on Friday for his heroism during the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfire in Lahaina. Mosher extended his gratitude to the community and apologies to the people of Lahaina saying he felt like it wasn’t enough. “I don’t feel like I would have made the choices I made if it wasn’t for my friend and coworker Tre’ Evans-Dumaran,” said Mosher.

CocoNene, the local brand known for its made in Hawaiʻi products, has expanded its presence at International Market Place on Oʻahu.  The Waikīkī expansion is part of rebuilding and recovery efforts after the Lahaina flagship store was lost in the West Maui fire in August of 2023. It also comes a month after the grand opening of their new store in Māʻalaea, Maui at the Maui Harbor Shops.

“He saved lives that day and for this l believe John [Miyamoto] deserves to be Employee of the Month,” said his nominator, who remained anonymous.

United Airlines hosted a Christmas Carnival for the keiki of Lahaina on Maui in December.  This year, the airline brought the festivities to Maui to spread the joy of the holidays to more than 150 keiki and their families.  

In the wake of the challenges posed by the wildfires, Maui Public Art Corps collaborated with students across the region to channel their emotions and reflections into a powerful visual representation of unity and strength. “The result is a vibrant collection of drawings that encapsulate the indomitable spirit of the Maui community,” organizers said.

CocoNene, a local brand known for its made in Hawaii products, announced the grand opening of their new store in Māʻalaea, Maui at the Maui Harbor Shops. This new location marks a poignant milestone for the brand’s recovery journey after the loss of their Lahaina flagship store.

Mayor Richard Bissen today announced the retirement of Planning Director Kathleen Ross Aoki, as she wishes to focus on her family after losing her Lahaina home in the Aug. 8 fire. Her retirement is effective Dec. 31, 2023.

“I want to see that grow out of this situation we’re in today. Let us find the people who bind us together. Let us find the strength in our lāʻau (plants), in our community. Let us find the koʻi (adze) that define the future and shape our world as we’re going to see it; the kālaimoku (high official), the kālai waʻa (canoe carver)—all of those people. They’re in our community. I can stare into this audience and see all the individuals, and that’s what gives me comfort,” said Kaipo Kekona.

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen acknowledged: “Housing was an issue on Maui and in West Maui before Aug. 8, and it became, obviously, a bigger issue after that.” “Our duty as government is to present the other options that people have. Let’s talk of creating a land trust,” said the mayor. That was one of the topics that was also explored at the Native Hawaiian Convention.