Welcome Back to Maui: What's New and Up and Running in Lahaina

Aloha and welcome back to Maui! Three years after the fire, Lahaina is coming back to life, and we could not be more excited to share it with you. Front Street reopened to vehicle traffic on August 1st, familiar businesses are returning, and the landmarks that carried this town through the worst of it are making a comeback right alongside it.

And here's the best part: Kaanapali, Kahana, Napili, and Kapalua never skipped a beat. These West Side communities are open, fully functioning, and ready with the same beaches, restaurants, and sunsets you've always loved. Whether you're headed to a familiar favorite or seeing Lahaina's progress for the first time, we are ready to openly and warmly welcome you back with true aloha spirit.

We took a walk through town to share what's new, what's healing, and what's worth a visit.

The New Front Street Walkway

The rebuilt boardwalk along the water is open, with fresh benches, lighting, and railings tracing the harbor. It's a quiet, reflective walk right now - the shells of buildings still under reconstruction stand alongside them - but it's also proof of forward motion. This is where Lahaina's next chapter is being built, literally, one section at a time.

Lahaina Harbor

The harbor and lighthouse have been a working part of this town for generations, and boats are back on the water. The Lahaina Small Boat Harbor reopened for limited commercial ocean operations in December 2025 - a meaningful step for the fishing and ocean tour operators who call this harbor home.

The Banyan Tree

Planted in 1873, Lahaina's banyan tree is one of the most recognized trees in the country - and it survived the fire. What was once scorched and bare is now bursting back to life: dense green canopy has filled back in across much of the tree, and arborists say the regrowth has kept coming, season after season, under a careful regimen of irrigation, soil care, and monitoring. Banyan Tree Park itself is still fenced off while that recovery continues, but the tree looks healthier and greener than it has since before the fire, standing as one of the clearest, most hopeful symbols that Lahaina is healing.

The Pioneer Mill Smokestack

Built in 1928, this 225-foot smokestack is the last physical reminder of the Pioneer Mill Sugar Co., which shaped West Maui's economy for 139 years before closing in 1999. It was already a beloved local landmark before the fire - and it was one of the very few structures left standing in its footprint afterward. For generations of Lahaina families with plantation roots, it's personal.

Maria Lanakila Catholic Church

Founded in 1846, with the current building completed in 1873, Maria Lanakila - "Our Lady of Victory" - came through the fire virtually untouched, even as the school, convent, and hall next door were lost. It became a symbol of hope for the whole community in the darkest days, and the church was rededicated in December 2024. Seeing it standing, steeple and all, is one of those moments that stays with you.

What's Up and Running in Lahaina

Front Street - Reopened to vehicle traffic on August 1, 2026, a major milestone for the neighborhood. Locals and visitors alike are once again driving, strolling, and taking in ocean views along the corridor that's always been the heart of town.

Old Lahaina Luau - Back and welcoming guests with the same music, hula, and imu ceremony that's made it a must-do experience for generations of Maui visitors.

Lahaina Cannery Mall - Home to many small businesses that relocated here after losing their original storefronts downtown, including Serendipity and Na Hoku Jewelers, plus everyday stops like Safeway, Longs Drugs/CVS, and ABC Store. The mall also hosts a regular lineup of food trucks and a lively Friday outdoor market, making it one of the easiest one-stop spots to shop, eat, and browse.

Coco Deck - Open and serving up a laid-back Front Street bite, great for guests wanting to soak in the harbor view over a casual meal.

Star Noodle - Open and dishing out noodle bowls right on Front Street, a welcome addition to the returning food scene.

Honu Oceanside - Open on the water with fresh seafood and sunset views, one of Front Street's most requested tables.

Aloha Mixed Plate - Open and serving up classic local-style plate lunch, a Front Street favorite for generations of visitors.

Lahaina Gateway - Right across the street from Lahaina Cannery Mall, this shopping center has you covered with Ross, The Noodle Bar and Mahina.

Food trucks - A growing cluster scattered around town offers quick, casual bites for guests exploring on the go, no reservation required.

Sunday craft fair - A weekly craft fair keeps the local shopping and community spirit alive, with vendors selling everything from local produce to handmade goods.

'Ulu o Lele Marketplace - An interim home for displaced Front Street shops, opening this September and giving even more local businesses a place to welcome guests back.

Lahaina Small Boat Harbor - Reopened for limited commercial ocean operations, a meaningful step for the fishing and ocean tour operators who call this harbor home.

Still rebuilding - Kimo's is slated for rebuild but not yet open. We'll update as soon as there's a date.

Front Street looks different these days - cranes where storefronts used to be, fences around places still healing - but if you slow down and look closer, the heart of it is still right here. It's in the boats back on the harbor, the tree pushing new leaves toward the sun, the shave ice line at the mall, and the same aloha in every "welcome back" from the people who never left. Lahaina isn't the same as it was. But it's still Lahaina.

A Note From Our Ohana

The fire touched our team personally - many of our own staff lost their homes right along with the rest of Lahaina. And yet here we are, the ohana at Maui Resorts by Sullivan Properties, still showing up for this community and for you, moving forward with hope and prosperity, and true aloha spirit. We're proud of this team, we're proud of this town, and we can't wait to welcome you home to Maui.

Visiting With Aloha

If you're coming to see it for yourself, a little care goes a long way - stay off private property, respect the fenced-off areas still under construction, and support the local businesses that have found their way back. Every visit, every meal, every purchase helps this town keep rebuilding.

Welcome back to Maui. We're glad you're here.

Book Your Stay With Maui Resorts by Sullivan Properties

For over four decades, Maui Resorts by Sullivan Properties has called West Maui home - through the good times and the hard ones. As Lahaina heals and the whole West Side welcomes you back with open arms, we'd love to be the ones who welcome you home to your Maui vacation. From oceanfront condos in Kaanapali to quiet retreats in Napili and Kapalua, our ohana is ready to help you plan your stay.