Heart of Hawaii's historic Lahaina, burned in wildfire, reopens to residents and business owners

Posted 9:31PM on Monday 11th December 2023 ( 5 months ago )

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — The heart of Lahaina, the historic town on the Hawaiian island of Maui that burned in a deadly wildfire that killed at least 100 people, reopened Monday to residents and business owners holding day passes.

The renewed access marks an important emotional milestone for victims of the Aug. 8 fire, but much work remains to be done to safely clear properties of burned debris and rebuild.

The reopened areas include Banyan Tree Park, home to a 150-year-old tree that burned in the fire but that is now sprouting new leaves, Lahaina's public library, an elementary school and popular restaurants.

An oceanfront section of Front Street, where the fire ripped through a traffic jam of cars trying to escape town, reopened Friday.

Authorities are continuing to recommend that people entering scorched lots wear protective gear to shield them from hazards.

On Sunday, the state Department of Health released test results confirming the ash and dust left by the fire is toxic and that arsenic is the biggest concern. Arsenic is a heavy metal that adheres to wildfire dust and ash, the department said.

The tests examined ash samples collected Nov. 7-8 from 100 properties built from the 1900s to the 2000s. Samples also showed high levels of lead, which was used to paint houses built before 1978.

The clean up is still in its early stages. For the past few months, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been removing batteries, propane tanks, pesticides and other hazards from the town's more than 2,000 destroyed buildings.

Residents and business owners have been able to visit their properties after the EPA has finished clearing their lots. In some cases, residents — often wearing white full-body suits, masks and gloves — have found family heirlooms and mementos after sifting through the charred rubble of their homes.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin hauling away the remaining debris and take it to a landfill after it gets permission from property owners.

The EPA and the state's health department have installed 53 air monitors in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui, where a separate fire burned homes in early August. The department is urging people to avoid outdoor activity when monitor levels show elevated air pollution and to close windows and doors.

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McAvoy reported from Honolulu.

Debris of former shops and businesses on Front Street in burn zone 11A is pictured Dec. 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The area reopened Monday, Dec. 11, to residents and owners with entry passes. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Melted signs are seen in the remains of the Wharf Cinema Center parking area in burn zone 11A on Dec. 7, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The area reopened Monday, Dec. 11, to residents and owners with entry passes. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The remains of the King Kamehameha III Elementary School in Zone 12A is seen Dec. 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The area reopened Monday, Dec. 11, to residents and owners with entry passes. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

New growth is seen on the 150-year-old banyan tree damaged by the August wildfire in burn zone 11A Dec. 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The area reopened Monday, Dec. 11, to residents and owners with entry passes. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A bird sits atop burnt rubble in Zone 11A on Dec. 7, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The area reopened Monday, Dec. 11, to residents and owners with entry passes. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Debris of former shops and businesses on Front Street in burn zone 11A is pictured Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The area reopened Monday, Dec. 11, to residents and owners with entry passes. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The 150-year-old banyan tree on Front Street is seen behind rubble in burn zone 11A Dec. 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The area reopened Monday, Dec. 11, to residents and owners with entry passes. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A burnt car is seen near the remains of the Masters' Reading Room in burn zone 11A on Dec. 7, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The area reopened Monday, Dec. 11, to residents and owners with entry passes. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A County of Maui truck drives by King Kamehameha III Elementary School in Zone 12A, Dec. 7, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The area reopened Monday, Dec. 11, to residents and owners with entry passes. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The town of Lahaina is pictured Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in Hawaii. The heart of Lahaina, the historic Maui town that burned in a deadly Aug. 8 wildfire that killed at least 100 people, reopened Monday, Dec. 11, to residents and business owners who hold a day pass. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Destroyed homes and businesses are seen Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Recovery efforts continue after the August wildfire that swept through the Lahaina community on the Hawaiian island of Maui, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Remains of a destroyed house are seen on Ainakea Road across the street from an undamaged home, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Cleanup efforts are still underway after the August wildfire that swept through the Lahaina community on the Hawaiian island of Maui, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Crews work next to destroyed buildings, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Recovery efforts continue after the August wildfire that swept through the Lahaina community on the Hawaiian island of Maui, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A sign and barricades redirect traffic around a checkpoint into the burn zone, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Recovery efforts continue after the August wildfire that swept through the Lahaina community on the Hawaiian island of Maui, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A car drives along Hawaii Route 30 past fencing in front of properties destroyed by an August wildfire, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Cleanup efforts are still underway after the wildfire that swept through the Lahaina community on the Hawaiian island of Maui, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A member of the National Guard talks to a driver near a checkpoint at Front Street, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Recovery efforts continue after the August wildfire that swept through the Lahaina community on the Hawaiian island of Maui, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Orange barricades mark the edge of a burn zone, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Recovery efforts continue after the August wildfire that swept through the Lahaina community on the Hawaiian island of Maui, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A checkpoint manned by members of the National Guard is seen on Lahainaluna Road, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Recovery efforts continue after the August wildfire that swept through the Lahaina community on the Hawaiian island of Maui, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A person walks by a sign placed on the back of a truck by a resident on Kapunakea Street, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Recovery efforts continue after the August wildfire that swept through the Lahaina community on the Hawaiian island of Maui, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A flyer noting a property has undergone hazardous material removal is seen, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Recovery efforts continue after the August wildfire that swept through the Lahaina community on Hawaiian island of Maui, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A sign for victims of a deadly wildfire hangs over the Lahaina Bypass highway, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Recovery efforts continue after the August wildfire that swept through the Lahaina community on Hawaiian island of Maui, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Properties destroyed by wildfire sit behind signs advertising for a nearby Safeway that survived the fire, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Cleanup efforts are still underway after the August wildfire that swept through the Lahaina community on Hawaiian island of Maui, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A member of the National Guard talks to a driver at a checkpoint on Lahainaluna Road, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Recovery efforts continue after the August wildfire that swept through the Lahaina community on Hawaiian island of Maui, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Destroyed homes and businesses stand Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Recovery efforts continue after the August wildfire that swept through the Lahaina community on Hawaiian island of Maui, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Boats sit off the shore near destroyed homes and businesses, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Recovery efforts continue after the August wildfire that swept through the Lahaina community on Hawaiian island of Maui, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

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