A devastating wildfires engulf Maui’s Lahaina, obliterating cultural landmarks and historic sites, leaving an irreplaceable void in Hawaii’s cultural fabric
The fires, driven by strong winds from a nearby hurricane, have destroyed hundreds of buildings, some dating back to the 1700s. / Photo: KanekoaTheGreat
Kings and queens are buried in the graveyard of the 200-year-old stone Wainee Church. Later named Waiola, the church that once sat up to 200 people was photographed apparently engulfed in flames this week.Waiola Church was established as the first Christian church on Maui by the Sacred High Chiefess Keopuolani in 1823. / Photo: GettyImages
It’s feared that the fire also consumed much of Lahaina's historic Front Street, home to restaurants, bars, stores and what is believed to be the United States' largest banyan, a fig tree with roots that grow out of branches and eventually reach the soil like new trunks. The full extent of loss won’t be known until officials can assess the damage done by the flames, fanned by winds caused in part by Hurricane Dora moving westward hundreds of miles to the south of the island state.In 1840 King Kamehameha III commissioned the Lahaina Lighthouse, Hawaii’s first lighthouse, left, as a navigational aid for whaling ships that came to Lahaina for provisions and refitting
“From going from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, the ruling chiefs in and around Lahaina and those educated at Lahainaluna played very prominent roles in our governance at that time,” McGregor said. Sugar plantations and fishing boosted the economy over the decades, but tourism is the main driver now. Nearly 3 million visitors came to Maui last year, and many of them come to the historic city.
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