Lahaina Updates And The Road To Recovery
It’s been several months since wildfires swept through Lahaina and portions of Upcountry. Things are tough right now for our Maui community. Our island still needs love and support.
Below, you will find a round-up of ways to help – whether you’re a resident, a visitor, or supporting from afar. Remember, recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.
How to Help Lahaina…
…If You’re a Visitor or Resident
Volunteer. Numerous non-profits, businesses, and community hubs need help with myriad tasks – whether it’s helping with rescued animals, organizing donations, preparing meals, or even building or sewing.
Upcountry Strong, Pacific Birth Collective, Napili Noho Hub, Maui Rapid Response, Hua Momona Farms, and Maui Food Bank are all great places to start.
Maui Fire, Flood, and Disaster Relief also keeps an updated spreadsheet of volunteer opportunities, which you can view here. Be sure to click the “Volunteer Links” tab at the bottom.
Support Local Business. Local businesses on Maui need support now more than ever. Stop by your local food truck, shop at your local mom-and-pop grocery, or purchase a gift card from your favorite local business.
…If You’re on the Mainland
Donate. Monetary donations fuel local relief efforts. There are many reputable organizations to donate to, from those helping with food distribution to housing solutions. View the Maui Fire, Flood, and Disaster Relief’s “donate” tab on the spreadsheet for the most up-to-date information.
Alternatively, you can purchase items from several Amazon Wish Lists for organizations like Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation (H.A.R.F), Na Keiki O Emalia grief support, and Kokua Ka’ahele distribution center. You’ll also find several wish lists from Lahaina teachers. Wish lists are also linked in the “donate” tab of the spreadsheet.
There is still a long road to recovery. The future still looks uncertain. And many in our community are still grieving.
But even during hard times, there are still beacons of hope. Below, you’ll find tidbits of hopeful and heartening news.
Hopeful News In Lahaina
800 Lahaina Students Gifted Bags of Toys at Surprise Holiday Event
Nearly 800 Lahaina students ages 3-12 were surprised with a special holiday event at Princess Nahienaena Elementary School in November. The school’s cafeteria was transformed into a winter wonderland, and each student was given a large bag of toys – thanks to help from the Salvation Army and Walmart.
The best part: The event was kept totally under wraps, making it a complete surprise to the students. You can only imagine the excitement!
Artist Harry Wishard Finds Original Painting Believed to be Destroyed
Big Island artist Harry Wishard had seven original paintings in a gallery in Lahaina. He thought they were all destroyed. Months later, one of his paintings, believed to be lost, turned up in a frame shop.
“Perhaps it’s not crazy to keep hope alive,” Wishard shared via Facebook.
Vegetation is Returning to the Burn Zone
Lahaina Restoration Foundation recently made two uplifting discoveries.
‘Ulu (breadfruit) shoots are growing beneath one of the burnt kupuna (elder) breadfruit trees in Malu ‘Ulu o Lele Park.
The foundation also discovered that the grape vines at the Baldwin Home are growing – and they’re even producing fruit.
The famous Lahaina Banyan Tree is also expected to recover.
Royal Lahaina Resort To House Displaced Residents Into the New Year
Even before the fires, housing was extremely limited on Maui. Now, demand is even higher. Those who lost their homes are scrambling to find rentals they can afford.
Fortunately, Royal Lahaina Resort is working with FEMA and Red Cross to house displaced residents into 2024 and hopefully 2025 – giving those who lost their homes a chance to regroup while permanent housing solutions are found.
Several Noteworthy Landmarks Survived the Blaze
Some things that make Lahaina, Lahaina are still standing. Like the giant copper Buddha statue at the Jodo Mission, the Lahaina Lighthouse, and the historic Sugar Cane Train.
We’re hoping for even more hopeful news moving forward. Thank you for reading and happy travels!
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Aloha! Tiffany here. I've been blessed to call Maui home since 2011. With a background in the island's finest restaurants and hotels, guiding visitors to create unforgettable Maui memories is more than a skill I've mastered—it's a profound source of joy for me.
