Reconstruction begins on 60 homes on Front Street in Lahaina
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A groundbreaking ceremony Friday marked the start of construction of Lahaina Residential on Front Street, where 60 homes destroyed in the August 2023 wildfire will be rebuilt.
Construction on six two-story apartment buildings at 1034 Front St. is expected to begin Oct. 19. The homes are expected to be ready in about 18 months.
Established in 1979, Lahaina Residential provided homes for Maui residents in the Lahaina Historic District. The community sits adjacent to the U.S. Marine Hospital, also known as Seaman's Hospital, one of the district's principal historic sites.
Residents described the community as home to a mix of working and retired Maui residents, including tradespeople, retired teachers and firefighters, surf instructors and health care workers.
At Friday's ceremony, residents also recalled their experiences escaping the rapidly moving wildfire and expressed gratitude for reaching the rebuilding milestone.
"Our homeowners have been through a lot over the past three years, and today they can finally see their homes starting to come back," said Thomas Ravey, president of the Association of Apartment Owners of Lahaina Residential and a Lahaina Residential homeowner for 30 years. "We are grateful to the county and our project team for helping us reach this moment and for their work ahead."
The rebuild will restore the buildings to their original size and layout, with improvements such as fire-resistant siding and roofing, defensible space and fire-safe landscaping. There also will be infrastructure for future electric vehicle chargers, while native plants and low-flow plumbing fixtures are expected to help reduce water use.
A rendering of Lahaina Residential. Image courtesy Kasprzycki Designs
Homeowners, project partners and Maui County officials gathered Friday to mark the groundbreaking. Mayor Richard Bissen, Maui County Council Vice Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura and project partners joined homeowners for a blessing led by Kahu Alalani Hill and a ceremonial groundbreaking.
As general contractor, Arita Poulson will oversee all aspects of rebuilding the community and delivery of the 60 homes.
"Arita Poulson started on Maui over 40 years ago, and these homes will be built by local hands, people who understand what this community has gone through," said Shannon Robinson, controller at Arita Poulson General Contracting. "Our work will be guided by a deep respect for this place and the people who have been waiting to come home."
The company is part of the Goodfellow Brothers family of companies.
The project team collaborated with Maui County historic representatives on exterior materials and design elements that complement the hospital and the historic Front Street view corridor.
The project team includes Michael Wright & Associates Inc., Kasprzycki Designs, Martin & Martin, Island Geotechnical and Scientific Consultant Services Inc.
"Housing is the foundation of our recovery," Bissen said. "Every home that is rebuilt in Lāhainā brings a family back to West Maui. This project, built by local workers for local families, is a milestone worthy of celebration, and another step forward in our community's healing."