The Maui Fires In Photos: Devastation And Recovery

The Aug. 8 fires in Lahaina and Upcountry killed at least 115 people and left thousands more without their homes and businesses. Here’s a look back at the past two weeks.

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The Aug. 8 fires in Lahaina and Upcountry killed at least 115 people and left thousands more without their homes and businesses. Here’s a look back at the past two weeks.

The ruins of Lahania town eerily rests calmly as a large wave breaks over Lahaina Harbor breakwall Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Maui. Two days prior, a large, fast-moving wildfire consumed this historical West Maui town. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
The ruins of historic Lahaina, two days after wildfires swept through this West Maui town and parts of Upcountry. At least 115 people died in Lahaina, and nearly 400 were still unaccounted for as of Friday. In Kula and Olinda, 19 homes were destroyed in the fires. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
The heartbreaking juxtaposition of the beauty of Lanai in the distance and the burned, abandoned vehicles on Front Street in Lahaina. Authorities marked the vehicles and structures with an “X” after they were searched for survivors. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)
Gov. Josh Green briefed reporters in Lahaina as the effort to assess the loss and damage got underway. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)
More than three dozen search dogs accompanied their handlers into the scene to begin the brutal yet necessary task of finding the casualties of the fire in an effort to give families closure. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)
Staff members with Rainbow Helicopters loaded donations of diapers, baby formula, feminine products and other supplies onto a helicopter to be flown to Maui from Oahu. Donations started pouring in soon after the fires. (Madeleine List/Civil Beat/2023)
Donations and those in need of supplies form a serpentine queue at a shopping center Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, in Lahaina. A wildfire destroyed the historic town of Lahaina last week. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Volunteers, nonprofits, government agencies and others coordinated efforts to provide supplies to those in need, including at this shopping center on Maui. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Uilani Kapu runs this donation center for those in need Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, in Lahaina. A wildfire destroyed the historic town of Lahaina last week. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Uilani Kapu ran a donation center for those in need last week in Lahaina. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
FEMA and Hawaii Department of Labor Workforce Development help those affected by wildfires on Maui Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, at the University of Hawaii Maui College in Kahului. A wildfire destroyed the historic town of Lahaina last week. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
FEMA and the Hawaii Department of Labor Workforce Development set up a disaster recovery center at the University of Hawaii Maui College in Kahului. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Lauren Haley’s neighbor’s house, cars and Harley Davidson motorcycle were destroyed in a wildfire, photographed Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in Kula. Haley has been using the firefighting hose to put out hot spots from underground tree roots. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
A house, cars and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle were destroyed in a wildfire in Kula. Residents remain under a drinking water advisory. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Lauren Haley of Kula discharges her two-inch line firehose Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in Kula. Haley has been using the firefighting hose to put out hot spots from underground tree roots. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Lauren Haley discharged her two-inch line firehose in Kula last week to put out hot spots from underground tree roots. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Hundreds of surfers paddled out for Lahaina on Aug. 19 off Waikiki. The event, organized by Na Kama Kai and Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Festival, was to bring community together and raise money for family and friends affected by the Maui fires. (Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023)
Hundreds of surfers paddled out for Lahaina last week off Waikiki. The event, organized by Na Kama Kai and Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Festival, was meant to bring community together and raise money for family and friends affected by the Maui fires. (Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023)
President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Gov. Josh Green and his wife, Jaime Green walk down Front Street in Lahaina, Monday. (Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023)
President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Gov. Josh Green and his wife, Jaime Green, walked down Front Street this week in Lahaina. The president spent the day on Maui seeing the damage firsthand and meeting with government officials, first responders and community members. (Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023)
A woman photographs Maalaea Bay as the sun rises Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, in Maalaea. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
A woman photographed Maalaea Bay this week as the sun rose. For many on Maui, such moments of normalcy are met with memories of the tragedy. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier waits for President Biden to visit Front Street, Lahaina, Monday. (Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023)
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier has been a central authority figure in the county’s response. (Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023)
Unused rental cars have filled the fields around Maui’s main airport in Kahului as the tourist economy sags amid conflicting reports of whether coming is helpful or harmful. Elected officials have stressed the visiting Maui provides relief through its tourism-driven economy, but to not go to Lahaina. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)
A series of makeshift crosses have been erected and attached to the fence line above the Lahaina Bypass at Lahainaluna Road to memorialize those who lost their lives in the deadliest fire in recent U.S. history. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)

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