Lahaina: One year after deadly fire torches island

LAHAINA, HI — Maui is still picking up the pieces one year after a devastating fire hit Lahaina and killed 102 people.

 The debris has been cleared but rebuilding is still a ways off.

Ogden native Haylee Moore lives in Lahaina and said it’s been a slow process with locals still struggling to find housing. 

“I think that they just got the last people out of the hotels, maybe just a couple of months ago,” said Moore. 

Moore also said a lot of her friends have moved off the island, many of whom she never thought would leave. But Moore remains hopeful that they will return one day to rebuild their homes. 

There’s still optimism and hope on the island even though rebuilding will be years in the making.

In remembrance

On the first anniversary of the deadly inferno,  there were mixed emotions on the island of Maui as the people came together for a tribute.

The special tribute was called a “paddle out” and was held in remembrance of those who lost their lives.

“Surfboards and canoes and boats and helicopters dropped plumeria flowers. And  people speak and chant in the water; it’s pretty cool. It was hundreds and hundreds of people,” said Moore. 

Hope for the future 

There is some good news, the main road in Lahaina  reopened last week.

Moore wants people to know that Maui is open for visitors. In fact, the more tourism picks up, more money is brought in for rebuilding  and the quicker they can rebuild. 

Related: 

• Heart of Hawaii’s Lahaina, scene of deadly wildfire, reopens to residents
• Returning Lahaina residents struggle with housing issues after deadliest US wildfire in over a century