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
Lebanese Health Ministry: 1 woman martyred, 11 wounded in Israeli strike on residential apartment in Nabatieh, South Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Four civilians injured in Israeli strike that targeted house in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, South Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launch strikes on regions of al-Mahmoudiyah, al-Khardali
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli aircraft execute series of strikes in Kfar Tibnit, South Lebanon.
Iranian ambassador in Beijing to Al Mayadeen: We hope that Europe and the US give up their illegal actions and authoritarian hegemony.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli shelling targets displaced persons' tent in Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, casualties were reported
IOF storm Jalazone camp, north of Al Bireh city in the occupied West Bank
Israeli media: A severe incident reported in Gaza some time ago
Israeli media: Military evacuation helicopters are transporting injured soldiers from Khan Younis
Israeli media: A security incident has been reported in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip

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

Gaza finds narcotics in US-Israeli aid, calls for global probe

Half of Americans say 'Israel' has too much US influence: Poll

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

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iranian worshippers carry their country's flags in a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP)

Iran warns of NPT withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz closure after US attack

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen delivers her speech during the French far-right party national rally near the parliament in Paris, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Politics

US aide proposed funding Le Pen's legal fight, sparking uproar

People whose names were left out in the National Register of Citizens (NRC) draft fill their forms to file appeals near a NRC center on the outskirts of Gauhati, India, Monday, Aug. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Politics

India accused of illegal Muslim deportations to Bangladesh

Palestinians children mourn over the body of their father, Mohammed Ghaben, who was killed while heading to an aid distribution hub, at the morgue of the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (AP)
Politics

IOF troops admit to killing starving Palestinians: Israeli media

The commander of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit, Brigadier General Mohammad Said Izadi (Illustrated by Mahdi Rtail for Al Mayadeen English)
Politics

Who was Mohammad Said Izadi, head of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit?

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