The Maui Fires Have Already Burned Some Major Hawaiian Historical Sites
Lahaina is a historically significant place in Native Hawaiian history. The Maui town was once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom and has been the home of important sites for centuries. But as Lahaina has become engulfed in flames fanned by Hurricane Dora, some of these priceless places are going up in smoke.
One of the area's crown jewels is the Old Lahaina Courthouse, which houses the Lahaina Heritage Museum, showcasing artifacts from throughout the island's history. Theo Morrison, the executive director of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation, grieved over the burning of the historical building.
"The Old Lahaina Courthouse roof is entirely gone," Morrison, a longtime resident, told the New York Times. “And so is the beautiful heritage museum we had there. The top floor had ancient Hawaiian things, things from the monarchy and plantation and whaling periods, objects from all of Lahaina’s eras."
Outside the courthouse stood a sprawling 150-year-old banyan tree that has become a symbol of Lahaina. It was first imported and planted there in 1873 to commemorate the arrival of Christian missionaries. According to updates on the town's website, some of the tree has been burned, though it's still standing. Nearby Lahaina Harbor, however, is "gone," and much of the town has been swallowed by fire.
Related: Maui Dream Retreat Instructor SUP Surfing on Maui
The Baldwin Home, Lahaina's oldest building, has seemingly met a similar fate. Originally occupied by a 19th century physician and missionary who helped vaccinate much of Maui against smallpox, it has since become the home of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation. After its roof caught fire, news photos show that the historic building has burned to the ground.
“We had no preparation, no warning, nothing,” Morrison lamented. While most of the heritage museum's important documents are preserved online, she hopes that the island will restore at least some of the burned buildings when the fires subside.
Still, there's no way the town will ever be the same. "This is the worst destructive thing that has happened in this town’s entire history,” she mourned.
For anyone who would like to support the recovery and rebuilding efforts of local organizations, consider donating to the Hawai'i Community Foundation's Maui Strong Fund and the Maui Food Bank.
