Maui Today, and Why This Update Matters
If you’re reading this, you’re likely planning or considering a trip to Maui. Like many travelers, you may be searching for information about the Lahaina fire, or wondering, “Is Maui open?” or “Is it safe to travel to Maui now?” Two years after the wildfires, these remain important questions.
The Maui Resort Rentals team is a family-owned vacation rental company based on the island. From ownership to housekeeping, we’re Maui residents who care deeply for this place and its people. We manage legal, resort-zoned vacation rentals in areas such as Kaʻanapali and Wailea, ranging from studios to beachfront estates, all professionally supported by our on-island team.
Our goal: to clearly share current conditions in Lahaina, highlight West Maui’s fire recovery progress, and give an honest, up-to-date picture of visiting Maui post-fires.
Maui is still No Ka Oi. We’re excited to welcome you!
What Happened in Lahaina: A Brief Recap
Before talking about where things stand now, it’s important to acknowledge what happened.
In August 2023, a combination of severe drought, hurricane-force winds, and downed power lines sparked devastating wildfires on West Maui. If you’ve searched what caused the Maui fires or when they happened, that’s the short version. The historic town of Lahaina was hit especially hard, with widespread destruction to homes, businesses, and cultural landmarks.
At Maui Resort Rentals, many of our own team members were personally impacted. Friends, neighbors, and longtime local businesses were affected in ways that are still being felt today. In early 2024, we published a detailed guide for travelers titled Visiting Maui Following the Lahaina Fires: Everything You Need to Know, which helped answer urgent questions during a very uncertain time.
Two years later, the story of Lahaina is no longer just about loss. It’s about rebuilding, resilience, and long-term recovery. What follows is a grounded Maui wildfire recovery update focused on progress, not speculation.
Current Conditions in Lahaina
So, how is Maui after the fire, really?
Today, Lahaina is progressing through the recovery phase. While some areas of Lahaina town remain under reconstruction and closed to the public, many surrounding regions of West Maui have made significant progress and are now open to visitors.
This is why you’ll often see people searching “Lahaina update today” or “what is open in Lahaina today.” The practical answer is: Lahaina town itself is still rebuilding, but West Maui’s resort-zoned areas like Kaʻanapali, Honokōwai, and Kapalua continue to operate normally.
Infrastructure across West Maui is stable. Major roadways like the Honoapiʻilani Highway are fully open. Utilities, cell service, and internet are reliable in resort areas, and essential services like Maui Memorial Medical Center and urgent care clinics are fully operational.
Maui is open after the Lahaina fires; the island never closed. Access changed only for Lahaina town for safety and recovery. Now, West Maui’s beaches are open, ocean activities are running, and attractions like the Kapalua Coastal Trail, Honolua Bay, and Kaʻanapali Beach are enjoyed daily by residents and visitors.
This travel update aims to clarify what’s open, what’s rebuilding, and what travelers can expect now, without overstating recovery. Two years after the fires, the story of Lahaina is no longer just about what was lost. It’s about what’s being rebuilt, reimagined, and restored with intention.
The Lahaina rebuild is steady and community-led. Cleanup and environmental work are mostly complete in the hardest-hit areas, and major infrastructure projects have begun. New housing for displaced residents is prioritized, along with utilities, roads, and public spaces supporting Lahaina’s future.
There’s a strong focus on honoring Lahaina’s culture and history in rebuilding. Local leaders, cultural experts, and residents are involved in shaping what’s next. Rebuilding isn’t about replacement; it’s about respecting Lahaina’s heritage, protecting its environment, and strengthening community resilience.
If you’re looking for an update on recovery, progress in Lahaina is tangible. Some parts of Lahaina are still closed to visitors during reconstruction, but recovery efforts across West Maui continue to move forward. Construction zones and community projects signal ongoing improvement.
The process is gradual, but Lahaina is healing. It’s being rebuilt stronger, safer, and more thoughtfully than before. Help and assistance are still needed and will be for some time.
What’s Reopened in Lahaina & West Maui
One of the most common questions we hear from travelers is: "What is open in Lahaina today?"
The answer is encouraging.
The Lahaina Gateway Plaza, along with the Lahaina Cannery Mall and Safeway were spared from the fire.
The Lahaina Cannery Mall is now a vibrant, reimagined space where Maui’s local spirit meets a fresh, modern vibe. Whether you’re seeking the perfect souvenir, upgrading your jewelry collection, or just out for a laid-back lunch or dinner, you’ll find something to love in their eclectic mix of shops and eateries.
The Cannery Mall is once again having free Hula shows on Sundays at 1:00 pm, along with the Pau Hana Series featuring local artists. The food court has been totally revamped and now has a wonderful selection of indoor food trucks, with something for every taste.
Teddy's Bigger Burgers at Lahaina Gateway remains a favorite of locals and visitors alike, offering an amazing and mouthwatering selection of burgers. Pick one of their creations, or make your own; either way, they're guaranteed to be delicious.
Additionally, many beloved West Maui businesses have reopened or relocated, and new ones have emerged as part of the recovery. Restaurants, coffee shops, local boutiques, and galleries are welcoming visitors again, especially in the surrounding West Maui areas like Kaʻanapali, Honokōwai, and Kapalua.
Some favorite local spots are back, while others operate from temporary locations. You’ll also find new dining places for both residents and visitors. When searching “Lahaina now after fire” or “Lahaina update today,” know this: West Maui is open and evolving.
Lahaina Harbor has reopened in a limited capacity, which means ocean activities like snorkeling tours, sportfishing, sunset cruises, and whale watching (seasonal) are once again departing from the area. This has been a meaningful milestone for both visitors and local tour operators who rely on the harbor for their livelihoods.
While Front Street itself remains largely closed as rebuilding continues, the surrounding resort-zoned areas were never part of the burn zone and continue to operate normally. Beaches in West Maui are open and beautiful, resorts are welcoming guests, and tour companies are back in business.
This Maui travel update, following the wildfires, reflects a community finding its rhythm again. Things look different than before 2023, but the warmth, hospitality, and aloha spirit that define West Maui are still very much here.
New Activities & Experiences in Lahaina and West Maui
As Lahaina and West Maui continue to recover, new experiences are emerging alongside familiar favorites. It’s not just about what’s open again. It’s about how the visitor experience is evolving in thoughtful, meaningful ways.
One of the most visible signs of progress has been the return of ocean activities from Lahaina Harbor. With the harbor reopening in limited capacity, snorkel cruises, sunset sails, and seasonal whale-watching tours are once again departing from West Maui. For many local tour operators, this return to the water has been a meaningful milestone in the West Maui fire recovery.
On land, cultural and community-driven experiences are gaining momentum. Local guides now offer small-group cultural walking tours and storytelling experiences that focus on Lahaina’s deeper history and its role as the former capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It’s a quieter, more reflective way to experience West Maui and directly supports local educators and cultural practitioners.
The food scene is also finding its rhythm again. Beloved spots like Mala Ocean Tavern have reopened and become symbols of resilience, welcoming both residents and visitors. Nearby, restaurants such as Aloha Mixed Plate and Honu Oceanside continue to bring people together over Hawaiian comfort food and Pacific-inspired cuisine. In Kapalua, Merriman’s remains a cornerstone of the West Maui dining scene.
There’s also renewed interest in agritourism and local food experiences. Places like Maui Kuia Estate Chocolate now host tastings and tours, while Upcountry and West Maui farms welcome guests for farm tours and occasional farm-to-table dinners.
Outdoor adventures remain as strong as ever. Surf lessons in Kaʻanapali, paddleboarding along calm West Maui shores, snorkeling at Honolua Bay, and hiking the Kapalua Coastal Trail are still some of the best ways to experience the island’s natural beauty.
For travelers wondering what visiting Maui after the Lahaina fires feels like today, the answer is simple. It feels active, hopeful, and connected.
Where to Stay After the Fires
Another question travelers are asking more than ever is: "Where to stay after the fires?"
The answer matters, not just for comfort, but for legality, ethics, and peace of mind.
After the Lahaina fires, Maui County passed a moratorium limiting vacation rentals to resort-zoned areas. This was done to protect long-term housing for residents and ensure that visitor accommodations remain in designated resort communities, not residential neighborhoods still in recovery.
For travelers, this means your best and most responsible options are resort-zoned areas like Kaʻanapali, Wailea, Kihei, and Kapalua. These communities were built specifically for visitors, were never part of the burn zone, and continue to operate normally with open beaches, restaurants, golf courses, resort amenities, and full visitor services.
All Maui Resort Rentals accommodations are located in legal, resort-zoned areas and are professionally managed. We do not operate in residential neighborhoods, and we do not list properties that fall outside zoning compliance. This means no risk of last-minute cancellations due to zoning violations and no contribution to housing displacement in areas still rebuilding.
From a practical standpoint, these resort areas also offer the best visitor experience. In Kaʻanapali, guests are steps from Whalers Village, Kaʻanapali Beach, snorkeling spots like Black Rock, and a wide selection of dining options. In Wailea, you’ll find world-class beaches, luxury shopping at The Shops at Wailea, championship golf courses, and some of Maui’s best fine dining. Kapalua offers a quieter, more nature-focused experience with coastal trails, golf, and easy access to Honolua Bay.
There’s a real difference between booking a privately managed rental and a professionally managed one. Maui Resort Rentals is a local, family-owned company, and every property in our collection, from studio condos to beachfront estates, is professionally maintained by our on-island team. Guests receive consistent cleaning standards, local support, and reliable service throughout their stay.
Once you book, you also get access to your own guest dashboard on our website. It’s a simple but powerful tool that lets you order essentials, request services, get local recommendations, and manage your stay all in one place. For travelers arriving in a destination that’s still evolving post-fire, that kind of local support and organization makes a meaningful difference.
Choosing the right place to stay isn’t just about views or square footage anymore. It’s about staying somewhere that’s responsible, regulation-compliant, professionally managed, and supported by a local team that genuinely cares about your experience on Maui.
How Travelers Can Support Lahaina & Local Maui Businesses
For many visitors, one of the most important questions isn’t just "Is Maui open after the Lahaina fires?" It’s: "How can I visit in a way that actually helps?"
The good news is that support doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be intentional.
One of the most direct ways to contribute to West Maui fire recovery is by spending your vacation dollars with local businesses that have reopened or relocated. Dining at places like Mala Ocean Tavern, Aloha Mixed Plate, Honu Oceanside, or Merriman’s in Kapalua puts money straight back into the local economy and supports local teams as they rebuild their livelihoods.
Booking tours and activities run by Maui-based operators also makes a real difference. When you take a snorkel cruise departing from Lahaina Harbor, join a small-group cultural walking tour led by a local guide, or book an ocean experience through a West Maui operator, you’re supporting families whose income depends on tourism.
Shopping local matters, too. Visiting places like Whalers Village in Kaʻanapali, browsing West Maui pop-up markets, or buying handmade goods from local artisans helps displaced artists and small business owners rebuild.
If you want to go a step further, there are still volunteer opportunities and community support programs active across West Maui, including beach cleanups, rebuilding days, and long-term recovery funds that support housing, food security, and mental health resources for fire-affected families.
Supporting Lahaina today isn’t about performative gestures or “disaster tourism.” It’s about showing up with respect, spending thoughtfully, and choosing experiences that strengthen the local economy. Visitors who travel with awareness play a meaningful role in West Maui’s healing.
Maui Is Still No Ka Oi
Two years after the Lahaina fires, Maui’s story is no longer defined by what was lost. It’s being shaped by what’s being rebuilt, restored, and reimagined — with care, intention, and deep respect for community and culture.
The island of Maui never closed. While Lahaina town continues its recovery and rebuilding, the rest of the island remains open, welcoming, and full of life. West Maui is healing. Businesses are reopening. New experiences are emerging. And visitors are once again enjoying the beaches, ocean tours, cultural experiences, and local food that make this place so special.
At Maui Resort Rentals, we’re proud to be part of that story. We’re a locally owned, family-run company with a team made up entirely of Maui residents, from ownership to housekeeping. We manage a curated collection of legal, resort-zoned vacation rentals across Kaʻanapali, Wailea, and other visitor-friendly areas — from studio condos to beachfront estates — all professionally managed and supported by our on-island team.
When you book with Maui Resort Rentals, you’re not just securing a place to stay. You’re getting local insight, consistent service standards, and a full-service experience that makes your trip seamless from booking to departure. You’ll even have access to your own guest dashboard to manage your stay, request services, and get personalized recommendations while you’re on the island.
Maui is still No Ka Oi. And we can’t wait to welcome you.