LAHAINA IS GONE. MAUI IS STILL HERE

The loss of Lahaina and more than 100 residents in the horrific wildfire of 2023 was one of the most devastating tragedies in modern Hawaiian history, alongside Pearl Harbor and the Hilo tsunamis. Many years will pass until Lahaina is rebuilt and emotional scars heal.

Twin Falls, at the beginning of the Hana Highway, is another quintessential Maui place.

Aside from the well-known locales, Maui offers places to get away and be at peace, such as this forest reserve near Makawao. Tourism dollars spent in Maui will indirectly help the island build a new future.

After Pearl Harbor, the U.S military forever altered how to deploy ships and aircraft . After the Hilo tsunami, breakwaters were built at Hilo Bay and many other bays to prevent the loss of life that took place. Let’s hope that after the Lahaina wildfire, those who are in charge will draft procedures to prevent the chain of poor decisions that caused the people of Lahaina to lose their lives—as a tribute to them.

Hikes, waterfalls, beaches, off-the-beaten path places to go can be found in the Maui Trailblazer guidebook. Plan ahead, maximize your vacation time, you’ll be glad you did. Tread lightly on Maui, respect the lan stay on trails, leave no trace, and use reef-safe sunscreen. Remember, “pono” (doing what’s right) makes your Maui experience pono for all.

Learn about the historical and cultural significance of Lahaina but stay away from the area as a means of respect for the people and places that have been lost during this devastating tragedy. Please do not take photos of the area, even from afar.  

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

• The Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii: https://www.sustainabletourismhawaii.org/
• The Maui Visitors Bureau: https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/maui
• Maui Strong Fund: https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/strengthening/maui-strong-fund