Lahaina Recovery Update: Maui Real Estate Rebuild, Progress & Reopening Front Street

Walking through Lahaina today is a surreal experience — part remembrance, part renewal, part cautious optimism. As someone who has lived, worked, and raised my family in West Maui, I feel a responsibility to document what is happening on the ground, not just for the community here, but for the thousands who once called Lahaina home and for those around the world who care deeply about this historic town.

This blog is a continuation of what I’ve done for years on YouTube: real-time updates, walking tours, drone shots, and honest commentary about life and real estate in Maui. But now, I’m pairing each video with a written post here on my website, because while social platforms often shadow-ban or algorithmically suppress independent voices, my site has strong page authority with Google. That means when you search for terms like “Maui real estate”, “Lahaina fire recovery”, or “Lahaina rebuild update”, this blog can surface near the top — giving you unfiltered access to what’s really happening.

Today’s post is both a personal walking tour and a factual update. I’ll share what I saw firsthand on Front Street, Lahaina Shores, Puamana, and Shark Pit, and I’ll also incorporate official rebuild statistics and verified updates that are shaping the future of this community.

Front Street: Still Closed, Still Waiting

Let’s start with the heart of Lahaina — Front Street. Standing at the south end of town, it’s still completely shut off to the public. Barriers remain in place. Signs of progress? Not much here.

Governor Josh Green recently extended the emergency proclamation related to wildfires, which means Lahaina proper remains inaccessible. For locals who once owned businesses or lived along this iconic stretch, it’s a painful reminder of how much has been lost — and how long the road back may be.

From my vantage point, the oceanfront commercial core of Lahaina remains frozen. The wharf area, the old Feast at Lele, and beloved restaurants like Pacifica, Betty’s Beach Café, Spanky’s Riptide, and Cool Cat’s Café are gone. Businesses like Captain Jack’s have relocated elsewhere on Maui, but the original Lahaina footprint is still ash, empty lots, and stalled decisions.

This aligns with what county data confirms: as of mid-2025, the commercial district has seen little to no rebuilding permits issued.

Good News: Lahaina Shores Reopens

But there’s hope — and it begins right next door to where my first real estate office once stood. Lahaina Shores, the iconic beachfront condominium, survived the flames. Today, it stands newly repainted, with updated air conditioning units, fresh hallway carpet, and a sense of resilience.

Walking through Lahaina Shores was emotional. The lobby looks much as it always did, the pool sparkled in the afternoon sun, and the sandy beach out front was alive with swimmers and surfers. This is one of the few oceanfront hotel-zoned condos on Maui that also has direct sandy beach access. For residents and guests alike, it’s a reminder that Lahaina isn’t gone — it’s fighting to come back.

And here’s a fact that will catch the attention of investors and homebuyers: Lahaina Shores units are trading at steep discounts. Oceanfront condos that once commanded well over $1 million are now available in the $600,000 range. Mountain-view units? $300,000–$400,000. In many cases, that’s half-price.

As someone who has sold real estate here for over a decade, I believe this represents one of the best oceanfront investment opportunities on Maui today. Why? Because while the county continues to stall permits for oceanfront homes, hotel-zoned condos like Lahaina Shores will always have value. And they are open, livable, and about to thrive again.

Puamana & Shark Pit: Signs of Life

Heading south, we pass through Puamana, once a vibrant oceanfront community. Several units here burned completely, and as of my tour, I saw no active reconstruction underway. The clubhouse remains gone. This lack of visible progress highlights the discrepancy between mountain-side rebuilds and oceanfront paralysis.

Cutting into the Shark Pit (Ilikahi) neighborhood, the story changes. Here, multiple homes are being rebuilt. Foundations are poured, walls are going up, and families are making progress. By my count, more than a dozen new homes are either underway or nearly complete in this inland pocket.

The contrast is stark: mountainside neighborhoods are rising, while oceanfront lots remain empty. This is not just about real estate — it’s about zoning, politics, and whether Lahaina’s historic shoreline will ever be rebuilt as it once was.

Verified Rebuild Numbers (from MauiRecovers & County Updates)

While my walking tour gives you the feel on the ground, it’s important to add the verified statistics:

384 residential permits have been issued as of June 2025.
21 residential homes are fully completed.
179 residential permits are still in process.
46 homes are move-in ready as of August 2025.
On the commercial side? Virtually no rebuild permits have been granted yet.

Debris removal has been another milestone:

400,000 tons of debris removed, equivalent to five football fields stacked five stories high.
3,523 burnt vehicles cleared.
FEMA’s temporary dump site in Olowalu has now been emptied, with all material moved to the permanent landfill site in Central Maui. They are about 50% complete with this process.

These are hard, factual numbers. They show progress — but also reveal how much remains unfinished.

The Banyan Tree: A Symbol of Resilience

No Lahaina update would be complete without mentioning the banyan tree. When the fire hit, many assumed it was gone. Entire sections of the canopy were charred, and experts doubted it would survive.

Today, the banyan is green and thriving. Benches have been reinstalled, new growth is visible, and while the park remains closed to the public, officials say it could reopen in a few months.

For locals, the banyan isn’t just a tree. It’s a symbol of Lahaina itself: scorched, scarred, but still alive.

Residential Progress: Wahikuli, and Lahainaluna

In Wahikuli and Lahainaluna, construction crews are busy. Dozens of homes are under construction here, many supported by groups like Habitat for Humanity. The neighborhoods look raw — red dirt, gravel, concrete slabs — but they also look alive with activity.

The inland rebuild has momentum. The challenge remains whether this energy will be matched on the oceanfront side of Front Street, where permitting hurdles persist.

Tourism, Politics, and the Future of Lahaina

One of the most troubling aspects of recovery is the state and county messaging around tourism. Official voices continue to discourage visitors from coming to Lahaina, which in turn hurts and will eventually destroy the very economy that supports families here.

The truth on the ground? Businesses and their employees want visitors. Tourism is Maui’s lifeblood. Staying at Lahaina Shores, supporting local rentals, dining in open restaurants — this is how Lahaina will survive.

Meanwhile, debates rage on over the Vacation Rental Phaseout Bill, which could eliminate over 6,000 legal short-term rentals on Maui. Proponents argue it will free up housing. Opponents — myself included — believe it will crush local jobs and do little to actually improve affordability. As of now, the bill is still under hearings, with testimony ongoing.

These policy battles will shape not just Lahaina’s future, but the entire Maui real estate market.

Real Estate Outlook: Smart Money Moves Early

History has a lesson here. During COVID, while many panicked and assumed real estate would collapse, savvy investors quietly acquired properties. Within a few years, values surged.

I believe Lahaina will follow a similar trajectory. Right now, sentiment is low. Many assume the town won’t recover. But drive down Front Street, and you’ll see 12+ new homes already rebuilt. Visit Lahaina Shores, and you’ll find units are selling - 12 in just the last year or so.

As progress accelerates, values will climb. Smart buyers who step in now will be rewarded.

Final Thoughts: Hope in the Ashes

Walking through Lahaina today, I felt the weight of loss. I saw where I once lived at 350 Front Street, now an empty lot. I remembered calling 911 when Longhi’s caught fire years ago, and I thought of the families who lost not just homes, but loved ones.

But I also saw life: surfers at 505, construction crews pouring foundations, families staging new homes, and the banyan tree pushing out fresh green leaves.

Lahaina isn’t dead. It’s rebuilding — slowly, painfully, but surely.

If you want to support:

Come to Maui. Stay at Lahaina Shores or other hotel-zoned condos.
Support survivors. Donations like http://www.HelpDaniel.ORG go directly to him.

Stay informed. Follow these updates, share them, and counter the narrative that Lahaina doesn't want visitors back

Because it isn’t.

And as for Maui real estate — opportunities exist right now for those with vision. This recovery will not only restore Lahaina, but it will also create a stronger, more resilient West Maui.

Please call or Text Eric West 808-298-2030 email hawaiisbest1@gmail.com