Volume 2, Number 6
FREE November/December, 2025
Lahaina’s Historical Rebuild Accelerates T
“This plan represents months of dedication and collaboration. These historic buildings are more than structures—they are enduring symbols of Lahaina’s inclusive, multi-generational history.”
By Taryn Kama
wo years after the devastating fires that swept through Lahaina, the Lahaina Restoration Foundation (LRF) has announced a major milestone in the town’s recovery: the completion of its Historic Building Restoration Master Plan. The plan outlines the restoration and reconstruction of eight key historic landmarks— many dating to the 1800s, when Lahaina was the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom. “This plan represents months of dedication and collaboration,” said Theo Morrison, LRF’s executive director. “These historic buildings are more than structures—they are enduring symbols of Lahaina’s inclusive, multi-generational history.” Founded in 1962, LRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a long record of preservation. Before the fire, the foundation restored the Baldwin Home and Masters Reading Room in the 1960s, followed by the Kindergarten Building. During the 1980s and 1990s, it rehabilitated the Seamen’s Hospital, Plantation House, Old Lahaina Prison, Hale Aloha, Wo Hing Society Building, and Hale Pa‘i, and in 2010, the Pioneer Mill Smokestack. A Year in the Making The Master Plan took nearly a year to complete, bringing together county officials, the Office of Recovery, Historic Hawai'i Foundation, LRF’s board and staff, and community members. After issuing a Request for Proposals, three preservation firms toured the sites before AECOM—a team of planners, architects, and preservation specialists— was selected to lead the project. The resulting plan provides a clear roadmap for design, compliance, costs, and permitting— ensuring Lahaina’s restoration honors preservation standards while meeting contemporary needs. Preserving Lahaina’s Historic Core The plan focuses on eight prominent public buildings under LRF’s kuleana, either owned by LRF or leased from Maui County: Baldwin Home Museum, Masters Reading Room, Old Lahaina Courthouse, Old Lahaina Prison, Hale Aloha, Seamen’s Hospital, Plantation House and the Kindergarten Building. Six of these date to the 19th century and hold deep cultural and historical resonance. “As public
Workers check reinforcements on the historic Baldwin Home in Lahaina. buildings, they carry the memories and stories of our community,” Morrison said. “People remember festivals, weddings, school excursions, and even their ‘brushes with the law’ here.” Honoring Hawaiian Identity Although the buildings feature Western architectural styles, they are deeply rooted in Lahaina’s Hawaiian past. The Old Lahaina Courthouse was built under Kamehameha IV, while the Seamen’s Hospital and Old Lahaina Prison date to the reign of Kamehameha III. Morrison said the buildings reflect Lahaina’s layered identity—where Hawaiian leadership intersected with international trade and culture. Restoring them ensures Lahaina’s Hawaiian heart remains central to the recovery. Once rebuilt, the Old Lahaina Courthouse will again house the Lahaina Heritage Museum, featuring exhibits and interpretive panels. LRF also plans to revive its free weekly history tours, led by Hawaiian Cultural Director Kalapana Kollars. The Kindergarten Building, formerly home to Village Galleries, will become a small theater
screening E Ho'i Ka Nani i Moku'ula (Let the Glory Return to Moku'ula)—a 360-degree animated film about one of Hawai'i’s most sacred sites. The space will also host historical and educational programs. Healing the Land and Community Beyond restoring buildings, LRF continues to rehabilitate Lahaina’s parks and open spaces. Since the fires, LRF staff have cleared debris, repaired irrigation, and replanted native and canoe species. At Apuakehau, the former site of the King’s Kalo Patch, the foundation plans to replant kalo in 2025 and restart Hawaiian cultural classes. “These acts of restoration—both physical and cultural—are vital to healing,” Morrison said. “They reconnect us with the 'āina and the stories that define Lahaina.” Funding the Vision Funding for the Master Plan comes from private foundations and community donations. FEMA is partnering on the rebuilding of five sites: Baldwin Home, Masters Reading Room, Old Lahaina Courthouse, Old Lahaina Prison, and Hale Aloha. The County of Maui Office of Recovery has
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What's Inside:
Madrigales Bring Renaissance Back..............3 Paia Bay Coffee Food Review.................................5 Events Calendar .........................................8-9 Co-op Champions Bamboo Products............11 Food Security Begins With a Few Steps....13 Classified Ads...... .........................................14