Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Ben Gurion Airport airspace sut down following missile launch from Yemen
Israeli media: Air raid sirens sound in the central region and Hashfala following the detection of a missile launch from Yemen
SDF announces the killing of three of its members as a result of ISIS cells detonating a landmine targeting a vehicle of a security patrol on the Hasaka-Raqqa road
The Popular Resistance Committees: We call on all international institutions to take urgent action and uphold their responsibilities by restoring and immediately enforcing effective mechanisms for the distribution of humanitarian aid.
The Popular Resistance Committees: The latest Zio-American crime against Gaza’s starving civilians constitutes a war crime, for which the US administration bears full and direct responsibility.
Gaza Media Office: Bloody spectacle shows that these zones have become collective death traps rather than aid distribution zones.
Gaza Media Office: Dozens of citizens are still surrounded under constant fire in the vicinity of the "aid station."
Gaza Media Office: As soon as citizens arrived, occupation and Americans opened direct fire on them.
Gaza Media Office: Occupation, in complicity with the US company, called on citizens to move toward Wadi Gaza Bridge, claiming that aid would be distributed.
Gaza Government Media Office: Occupation set a bloody trap at bridge of Wadi Gaza, luring thousands of starved civilians, and opened fire on them.

Wildfires in Maui destroyed cultural heritage sites

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Art News
  • 12 Aug 2023 19:17
3 Min Read

Wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui have burned historic landmarks, museums, residences, and other structures in the town of Lahaina.

  • x
  • The Old Lahaina Courthouse used to house an art gallery and heritage museum but was destroyed by fast-moving wildfires in western Maui, Hawaii, August 8, 2023. (AFP)
    The Old Lahaina Courthouse used to house an art gallery and heritage museum but was destroyed by fast-moving wildfires in western Maui, Hawaii, on August 8, 2023. (AFP)

On the Hawaiian island of Maui, wildfires have burned historic landmarks, museums, residences, and other structures in the town of Lahaina. Local officials reported 80 deaths because of the raging fires.

According to flyovers by the US Civil Air Patrol and the Maui Fire Department, the wildfires spread swiftly on August 8, affecting more than 271 properties in the region. Strong winds from a distant hurricane, dry air underlying drought conditions, as well as deforestation, and the introduction of non-native, fire-prone grasses, were listed as reasons for the region's increased susceptibility to fire by a Weather Channel meteorologist and research.

“The wildfires on Maui have ripped through the town of Lahaina with devastating consequences and we are immensely saddened by the loss of life, homes, and historical and cultural sites,” Jonathan Yukio Clark, director of the Schaefer International Gallery at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, told the Art Newspaper on August 10. “A number of cultural sites located in the town of Lahaina were destroyed in the fire, but it will take time to know the full impact and specifics.”

The Lahaina Restoration Foundation, which is in charge of 14 key historic houses in the town, has lost numerous of its properties to fire.

Related News

Challenges undermine Gulf States’ ambitions in AI development: FT

US expands federal contract cuts to target tech vendors: WSJ

The two-story Wo Hing Temple Museum, which was established in 1912 as a religious and social hall for the island's Chinese immigrants, and a 150-year-old banyan tree are among them. According to an AFP aerial shot obtained on August 10, just the outer envelope of the Old Lahaina Courthouse, which also housed the Lahaina Heritage Museum, remains. 

Read next: 36 people killed so far as fire devastates Lahaina, Hawaii

The museum gave visitors a detailed look at the town's history, including its indigenous beginnings before colonization, its evolution through missionary endeavors, and the impact of the whaling industry, plantations, and tourism.

The Baldwin House, which was built in 1834 and is usually regarded as the oldest home still standing on Maui, was also destroyed by fire.

According to ABC News, other historic sites affected by the fires include the Waiola Church and Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, where several monarchs are buried, and the 122-year-old Pioneer Inn. “Many homes, businesses, and historic places have been damaged and destroyed,” Lahaina Restoration Foundation executive director Theo Morrison told the Art Newspaper in a statement, adding that “We need to come together now to make sure our town recovers from this.”

That said, the foundation has launched a campaign to raise funds for Lahaina’s recovery effort.

  • United States
  • Maui
  • Lahaina
  • Wildfire
  • Hawaii

Most Read

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
MIT bans class president who gave pro-Palestine speech
US & Canada

MIT bans class president over pro-Palestine speech

Arab ministers condemn Israel 'ban' on planned West Bank visit
Politics

Arab ministers condemn Israeli ban on planned West Bank visit

Major General Hu Gangfeng, Vice President, National Defense University, People's Liberation Army, China, leaves after a panel discussion during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Politics

China blasts Hegseth, calls US top 'troublemaker' in Asia-Pacific

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: Reports
Technology

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: NBC News

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS