Deadly Wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii: Reopening of Burned Town Marks Emotional Milestone
Lahaina, Hawaii – The heart of Lahaina, the historic town on the Hawaiian island of Maui that was devastated by a deadly wildfire that claimed the lives of at least 100 people, has finally reopened to residents and business owners holding day passes.
The renewal of access to the town marks an important emotional milestone for the victims of the August 8 fire. However, there is still much work to be done to safely clear properties of burned debris and begin the rebuilding process.
The reopened areas now include Banyan Tree Park, home to a 150-year-old tree that burned in the fire but is now showing signs of new life. Additionally, Lahaina’s public library, an elementary school, and popular restaurants are also now accessible to the community.
An oceanfront section of Front Street, where the fire tore through a traffic jam of cars trying to escape town, reopened on Friday.
Authorities continue to advise people entering scorched lots to wear protective gear in order to shield themselves from any potential hazards.
Test results released on Sunday by the state Department of Health confirmed that the ash and dust left by the fire is toxic, with arsenic being the biggest concern. The tests examined ash samples collected from 100 properties built from the 1900s to the 2000s, and also showed high levels of lead, which was commonly used to paint houses built before 1978.
The clean-up effort is still in its early stages. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been working diligently to remove batteries, propane tanks, pesticides, and other hazardous materials from the town’s more than 2,000 destroyed buildings over the past few months.
Residents and business owners have been allowed to visit their properties after the EPA has finished clearing their lots. Many have donned protective suits, masks, and gloves as they sift through the charred rubble, finding family heirlooms and mementos amid the destruction.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will soon begin hauling away the remaining debris, with permission from property owners, and take it to a landfill.
In addition to the clean-up efforts, the EPA and the state’s health department have installed 53 air monitors in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui, where a separate fire burned homes in early August. The department is urging people to avoid outdoor activities when monitor levels show elevated air pollution and to keep windows and doors closed when necessary.