- Front Street reopened to vehicular traffic on 1 August 2026, announced by the County of Maui Office of Recovery.
- ʻUlu o Lele Marketplace, Kimo's and more than a dozen other businesses have reopened as part of that milestone.
- The historic core is still under reconstruction. The August 2023 fire destroyed roughly 2,200 structures.
- The banyan tree is alive and releafing, but arborists describe it as still “in the ICU” and Banyan Court Park remains closed — designated viewing areas along the park edge are open.
- The Lahaina Jodo Mission's Great Buddha survived; the pagoda did not. The grounds reopened to the public in August 2025.
- Lāhainā is a community, not a disaster attraction. Do not drive through residential burn areas to look.
Quick Answer
Yes, Lāhainā is open to visitors in 2026 — and Front Street reopened to vehicular traffic on 1 August 2026, along with ʻUlu o Lele Marketplace, Kimo's restaurant and more than a dozen other businesses. The historic commercial core is still being rebuilt after the August 2023 wildfire, which destroyed roughly 2,200 structures. Banyan Court Park remains closed, though the tree is alive and can be viewed from designated areas at the park's edge. Businesses at Lahaina Cannery and Māla Wharf are also welcoming guests.
What reopened on 1 August 2026
The County of Maui Office of Recovery reopened Front Street to vehicular traffic on 1 August 2026. Getting there took three years of work: removal of wildfire debris and offshore pilings, repairs to the seawall and sidewalk, new railings and tree planting along the makai (ocean) side, fencing along the mauka (mountain) side and around off-limit areas, and then paving and striping.
The reopening brought commercial activity back to the centre of town. ʻUlu o Lele Marketplace, the long-established Kimo's, and more than a dozen other businesses reopened alongside it.
Reopened is not rebuilt. Front Street carrying traffic again is a genuine milestone, and it is also one street. The historic commercial core around it remains under reconstruction, and large parts of Lāhainā are still active recovery zones.
The banyan tree
The banyan at the corner of Front and Hotel Streets — planted in 1873 and, at roughly 150 years old, the largest in Hawaiʻi — survived the fire. It is alive and putting out new green leaves from blackened branches.
It is not out of danger. Arborists have removed around 40% of the tree, and as of early 2026 they still described it as being “in the ICU” — a branch that snapped was found to contain fungus, prompting further assessment of whether the tree is sicker than it appears.
Banyan Court Park itself remains closed to general public access. Authorities have established designated viewing areas along the edge of the park, which give a clear view of the tree. Officials have said the park could reopen once the tree is assessed as healthy enough, without committing to a date.
The historic sites
| Site | Status as of August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Lahaina Jodo Mission | The Great Buddha statue survived; the pagoda was lost. The grounds reopened to the public in August 2025 — the first time since the fire — and hosted Obon that year. An architectural firm has been secured for the rebuild. |
| Baldwin Home Museum | Lost in the fire. Artifacts associated with Dwight Baldwin were recovered from Hale Aloha. The site is stewarded by the Lahaina Restoration Foundation. |
| Wo Hing Museum | Lost in the fire. Artifacts were recovered from the debris, including 24 of 30 ancient Chinese coins. Also stewarded by the Lahaina Restoration Foundation. |
| Front Street | Reopened to vehicular traffic 1 August 2026, with ʻUlu o Lele Marketplace, Kimo's and a dozen-plus businesses trading. |
| Lahaina Cannery / Māla Wharf | Businesses open and welcoming guests throughout the recovery. |
How to visit well
This is the part that matters most, and it is not complicated.
- Do not drive through residential burn areas to look. People lost their homes and their families there. It is not a sight.
- Do not photograph what remains of people's houses. The same reason.
- Spend money with local businesses. Visitor spending is what funds the jobs that fund the recovery. This is the single most useful thing a visitor does.
- Respect fencing and closures. They exist for safety and for dignity, and both reasons are sufficient.
- Ask before you assume. Local businesses and staff will tell you what is open. Many people you meet in West Maui lost something in 2023.
- Come anyway. The most common thing West Maui businesses have asked for since 2023 is visitors — respectfully, but genuinely.
Where Kāʻanapali fits
Kāʻanapali sits roughly ten minutes north of Lāhainā town and was not burned in the 2023 fire. The resorts, the beach and the beach walk operate normally, which is covered in our Kāʻanapali Beach guide.
Huakaʻi Lūʻau performs weekly on Tuesdays on the Luau Lawn at Hilton Grand Vacations Kāʻanapali Beach Club — north of Lāhainā town, in the unburned resort area. The cast and crew are local.
Sources and further reading
Front Street reopening details are from the County of Maui Office of Recovery announcement of July 2026. Banyan tree condition is from arborist reporting carried by Honolulu Civil Beat and others in February 2026. Historic-site status is from the Lahaina Restoration Foundation and contemporaneous local reporting. Check current conditions before you travel — this page will date.
For the rest of the island, see things to do on Maui and planning a vacation on Maui.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lāhainā open to visitors in 2026?
Yes. Front Street reopened to vehicular traffic on 1 August 2026, announced by the County of Maui Office of Recovery, alongside ʻUlu o Lele Marketplace, Kimo's restaurant and more than a dozen other businesses. Businesses at Lahaina Cannery and Māla Wharf have been welcoming guests throughout. The historic commercial core is still under reconstruction, and large parts of Lāhainā remain active recovery areas rather than places to visit.
Did the Lahaina banyan tree survive the fire?
Yes. The banyan, planted in 1873 and the largest in Hawaiʻi, survived the August 2023 fire and is putting out new green leaves. It is not out of danger — arborists have removed roughly 40 percent of the tree and as of early 2026 still described it as being in the ICU. Banyan Court Park remains closed to general public access, but designated viewing areas along the park edge give a clear view of the tree.
Can you visit Banyan Court Park?
Not the park itself, as of August 2026 — it remains closed to general public access while arborists continue to assess the tree. Authorities have established designated viewing areas along the edge of the park where the tree can be seen safely. Officials have said the park could reopen once the tree is assessed as healthy enough, but have not committed to a date.
Did the Lahaina Jodo Mission Buddha survive?
Yes. The Great Buddha statue at the Lahaina Jodo Mission survived the 2023 fire, although the pagoda was lost. The mission opened its grounds to the public in August 2025 for the first time since the fire, hosted Obon that year, and has secured an architectural firm for the rebuild.
Is it appropriate to visit Lāhainā as a tourist?
Yes, and local businesses have consistently asked visitors to come — visitor spending funds the jobs that fund the recovery. What is not appropriate is treating the burn area as a sight: do not drive through residential areas to look, do not photograph the remains of people's homes, and respect all fencing and closures. Spend money locally, and ask staff what is open rather than assuming.
How far is Kāʻanapali from Lāhainā town?
Roughly ten minutes by car. Kāʻanapali was not burned in the 2023 fire, and its resorts, beach and beach walk operate normally. Huakaʻi Lūʻau performs weekly on Tuesdays at Hilton Grand Vacations Kāʻanapali Beach Club, north of Lāhainā town.
An Evening in West Maui
Huakaʻi Lūʻau · The Luau Lawn at Hilton Grand Vacations Kāʻanapali Beach Club
104 Kāʻanapali Shores Place · Lāhainā, HI 96761
Performing weekly on Tuesdays
Recovery status in Lāhainā changes continually. Details on this page were verified in August 2026 against the County of Maui Office of Recovery and contemporaneous local reporting, and they will date. Confirm access, opening hours and road status with the County of Maui and the Lahaina Restoration Foundation before you travel. Much of Lāhainā remains a residential community in recovery rather than a visitor attraction — please read the guidance on respectful visiting below.