Almost three years after the August 2023 wildfire, Lahaina is in a strange middle place. Homes are going up. Cranes dot the skyline above Front Street. Five restaurants on the north end are serving dinner with ocean views. But the historic commercial core — the stretch most visitors remember — is still mostly empty lots and construction fencing.

If you’re heading to West Maui this summer, Lahaina is worth your time. Not for what it used to be. For what it’s becoming. And because every dollar you spend at a surviving business goes straight into the recovery.

The numbers tell a clear story of progress and scale. As of March 2026, Maui County has issued 552 rebuilding permits, with 159 completed. More permits are in the pipeline, and expedited residential reviews are now averaging under 30 days.

The wildfire destroyed roughly 2,200 structures. So 552 permits means the rebuild is about a quarter of the way through on paper — and that’s just the residential side.

The commercial district is further behind. Front Street’s historic core requires Cultural Resources Commission approval for every rebuild, and the commission has signed off on only six projects since the fire — all residential. Not a single commercial rebuilding permit has been issued yet. Archaeological surveys required by the State Historic Preservation Division can cost six figures and take a year to complete.

Maui County is working to speed up historic review, and a state legislative bill could help. But Front Street shops and galleries won’t be back this summer.

The north end of Front Street survived the fire. Five restaurants anchor this stretch, and all are open:

Honu Oceanside — Oceanfront seafood with a focus on local sourcing. The lanai seating with Lanaʻi views is one of the best dinner spots on Maui right now.

Star Noodle — The Asian-inspired share plates that made this place famous are back. Garlic noodles, steamed pork buns, ramen. Reservations fill fast.

Māla Ocean Tavern — Mediterranean-meets-Hawaiian menu steps from the water. Fresh fish, local produce, strong cocktail program.

Coco Deck — Reopened as a casual neighborhood bar and kitchen after the fire. Formerly Duck Kine, it’s now a more relaxed spot on Front and Kapunakea streets near Cannery Mall.

Aloha Mixed Plate — Plate lunch institution. Kalua pig, laulau, mac salad with your feet practically in the sand. Straightforward, local, good.

The Lahaina Cannery Mall has also reopened several shops — jewelry, clothing, home goods. The Safeway and Longs Drugs are operating.

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The Banyan Tree is alive. Arborists spent months nursing it with water, compost, and soil treatment after the fire. New growth is visible — green shoots from charred branches. It’s become a quiet gathering spot and a symbol that Lahaina is coming back.

The Lahaina Courthouse and Baldwin Home Museum remain closed while the Lahaina Restoration Foundation develops careful reopening plans with national preservation experts. No reopening date has been set.

The Old Lahaina Luau is operating. It was one of the first major cultural attractions to reopen after the fire, and getting a reservation is a statement of support. Book early — summer dates fill weeks in advance.

The historic commercial core of Front Street — the blocks south of the surviving restaurants — is behind construction fencing. The galleries, boutiques, and restaurants that once lined this stretch are gone. Rebuilding plans exist, but permitting hasn’t started.

849 fire survivor families remain in FEMA temporary housing. That program has been extended through February 2027.

Lahaina Harbor is operational for boat tours, but the surrounding waterfront area is mixed — some access, some restrictions. Check specific tour operators before booking.

The Lahaina Bypass road extension — a critical evacuation route — has $100 million in federal funding but a total estimated cost of $220 million. Construction is underway. The broader infrastructure gap across all recovery projects sits at roughly $950 million unfunded.

Kaʻanapali and Kapalua resorts are fully operational and less than 10 minutes from Lahaina town. The Hyatt Regency, Sheraton, Westin, and Royal Lahaina are all open along Kaʻanapali Beach. Kapalua’s Ritz-Carlton and Montage are running at full capacity.

Vacation rental availability in West Maui is tighter than it used to be. Maui County’s vacation rental phaseout law (Bill 9) signed in late 2025 targets apartment-zoned short-term rentals, with West Maui properties set to transition by January 2029. Rentals still operate in 2026, but inventory is shrinking and prices are climbing. Verify any rental’s permit status before booking.

Lock in a rental car early. Summer rates climb fast on Maui. Discount Hawaii Car Rental compares rates across every major agency.

Lahaina’s recovery runs on tourism dollars. Every meal at Honu, every Old Lahaina Luau ticket, every snorkel trip out of Lahaina Harbor puts money directly into the pockets of families who lost everything and chose to stay.

A few ways to make your visit count:

Eat at the surviving Front Street restaurants. They kept their doors open through the worst period in Lahaina’s history.

Book tours that operate out of Lahaina Harbor — snorkel trips, whale watches (in season), sunset sails. These businesses employ local crews and buy local supplies.

Shop at Cannery Mall and the small businesses along the north end. Moana Glass on Keawe Street offers glass-blowing classes — a hands-on experience that directly supports a local artisan.

If you want to volunteer, organizations like All Hands and Hearts coordinate work days for debris cleanup and rebuilding support.

One thing to keep in mind: sensitivity matters. The fire killed 102 people and displaced thousands. Driving through the burn zone for photos feels different than visiting an open business. Follow the lead of the community. If an area is fenced off, it’s not a photo op. Spend your money, be present, and let the locals set the tone.