The Maui Fires In Photos: August 2023
On Aug. 8, wildfires nearly destroyed the historic town of Lahaina and burned numerous structures in Upcountry. At least 100 people died in Lahaina, making it the most deadly U.S. wildfire in the last century. Much of the month of August was spent just trying to figure out what happened and coming to grips with the enormity of the situation.
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Smoke rises from Lahaina on the morning of Aug. 9, 2023, the day after wildfires destroyed much of the historic West Maui town. (Ku’u Kahuanoe/Civil Beat/2023)
Kulalani Drive in Upper Kula was one of the hardest hit areas in Upcountry as fire seemed to randomly affect some areas. (Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023)
As the smoke cleared the day after the Lahaina fire, the extent of the the destruction came into focus. (Ku’u Kauanoe/Civil Beat/2023)
The fire quickly burned through much of Lahaina town and flying cinders propelled by high winds even engulfed boats moored in the harbor. (Ku’u Kauanoe/Civil Beat/2023)
The cause of the fire remained undetermined months later but some blamed downed power lines. (Ku’u Kauanoe/Civil Beat/2023)
Civil Beat journalists were among the first people to enter Lahaina the day after the fire. (Ku’u Kauanoe/Civil Beat/2023)
At least 100 people died in the Lahaina fire, some of them trapped in vehicles trying to escape. (Ku’u Kauanoe/Civil Beat/2023)
Parents aired their frustrations with the DOE during a contentious public meeting in Napili. (Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023)
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Kathleen Castro holds her puppy Mimi while Hazel Castro looks over paperwork. Many people lost important paperwork in the fires. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
A federal resources fair drew hundreds of people in need of assistance in Lahaina. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Jennifer Sabas, Rep. Jill Tokuda and Sen. Mazie Hirono helped victims at the resource fair, which was hosted by Tokuda and Hirono. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Maui residents soon began demanding answers from county officials. Upcountry residents packed a meeting on water safety in Kula. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023
Weeks after the fire, rental cars sat idle near the Maui airport. Tourism fell sharply, causing a major problem for the economy. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)
Memorials to the victims soon appeared, including this series of makeshift crosses along the Lahaina Bypass. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier and Mayor Richard Bissen soon found themselves pressured to answer questions about the fire response. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
President Biden greeted West Maui waterman Archie Kalepa, center, and other Hawaiian community leaders in Lahaina. (Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023)
President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Gov. Josh Green and his wife, Jaime Green, toured the Lahaina burn zone in the weeks after the fire. (Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023)
The Filipino and Latino communities in Lahaina lost many members. Family and friends asked for help in finding those who were missing. (Madeleine List/Civil Beat/2023)
Tons of donated items including food and supplies soon began flowing into Maui. Tens of millions of dollars came in through fundraisers worldwide. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Volunteers like Arlene Emerson of Kula worked long hours to help distribute needed supplies to victims of the fires. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Within days of the fires, national media flocked to Maui and regularly grilled officials at what became contentious media briefings. (Christina Jedra/Civil Beat/2023)
Hale Mahaolu Eono was home to a number of people killed in the fire. Many of the 100 victims were elderly. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
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Search dogs accompanied their handlers into the burn zone to begin the gruesome yet necessary task of finding the casualties of the fire. (David Croxford/2023)
The destruction of Lahaina was clearly visible from the air. Aerial photos quickly became iconic portrayals throughout the world. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
A single home, untouched on a street of burned homes, became known as “the miracle house.” (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
The Buddha statue at the Jodo Mission in Lahaina was one of several spiritual sites that escaped the flames. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Front Street in Lahaina was once one of Hawaii’s most visited tourist destinations. The fire incinerated most of the once popular restaurants and shops. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Wildfire destroyed an historic redwood home at Kula Sandalwoods Cafe and Inn in Upcountry. (Brittany Lyte/Civil Beat/2023)
Officials moved quickly to restrict access to the Lahaina burn zone. Hawaii National Guard members helped searched for bodies along Front Street.. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Some residents like Rolando Bumanglag, 65, returned to their homes immediately after the fires. Officials soon blocked access. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Searchers marked an X on a building when no survivors or bodies were found. The block-by-block search of the burn zone took several weeks. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Rolando Bumanglag searched for his passport wearing only slippers. Later officials would warn residents to wear protective gear. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
A wheelchair remained at the Hale Mahaolu Eono grounds. The senior residential facility was destroyed. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Hundreds of people who lost their homes in the fire took refuge at shelters on Maui. The food line at the War Memorial Gymnasium filled up fast. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Kahului’s War Memorial Gymnasium welcomed displaced pets as well as humans, including Olalani. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
