From its days as Maui, then Hawaii’s, royal capital to its days as a major Pacific whaling center, to a modern tourist and historical area, the town of Lahaina is a city with a rich history and culture.
The name means “merciless sun,” appropriately because Lahaina is one of the driest parts of Maui. Whaling was one flourishing industry in Lahaina while sugar production was another, beginning in 1860. A lighthouse was constructed in 1840 to assist whaling ships and is now Hawaii’s oldest.
Lahaina’s famous Banyon tree was planted in 1873 by the sheriff of Maui to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Protestant missionaries. While badly singed from the recent fires, the blocks-long tree is still standing.
Until recently, Lahaina was a busy seaport and tourist town with shopping, fine dining, nightlife, local arts and crafts, and luaus. Whale watching is best in Lahaina from December through March. The Lahaina area includes Ka’anapali, Honokawai, Kahana, Napili, and Kapalua. Popular with tourists and residents alike, Lahaina was well-known as a great day trip or a fun night out.
The Lahaina Historic District
In 1962, Lahaina was designated as a National Historic Landmark District and declared a National Historic Landmark. Nine buildings were named for their contribution to the district:
• Baldwin House, built in 1835 as a home for missionaries; was destroyed by the fires
• Old Spring House, built in 1823 by Rev. William Richards to enclose a spring that provided the community with fresh water
• The Courthouse, built in 1859 and reconstructed in 1925; considerable damage from the fires
• Old Prison (Hale Paʻahao), built-in 1852
• Waiola Church, built in 1953 after previous structures were destroyed; this building was destroyed by the fires
• Hale Aloha, a school building built in 1858, restored in the 1980s
• US Marine Hospital, built in 1842, had multiple uses, suffered considerable damage from the fires
• Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, built in 1858, and survived the fires
• The Pioneer Inn, the first hotel in Lahaina, with 34 rooms, destroyed by the fires
These were some of the oldest buildings in Maui and in the state of Hawaii.
Our Love For Lahaina
The August wildfires that destroyed Lahaina left us heartbroken. We watched in horror as the city burned and people struggled to escape. Many have lost everything, and their lives are changed forever. Pro Draft is offering discounted services to those in Lahaina who lost their home or business to the fires, and have information on this page to help residents find information they need to begin the rebuilding process.
Let Pro Draft Design Your Next Building Project
Pro Draft has been helping build ideas on Maui for 30 years. We can help with drawings, interior design, “green design” with LEED certification, project management, and permit expeditions.
We can help with architecture, drawings, blueprints, and permits, and answer all your questions. We’re happy to help and will work to ensure your project is exactly the way you envision.
Call Pro Draft today at (808) 579-9050 or 1-800-499-4699 from the Mainland