What others have shared

Some of Lahaina's strengths were the reinforced cultural practices, and the desire to volunteer and talk about what happened during the bush fires.

Residents who want to stay and preserve Lahaina's rich heritage, small town feel.

People who want to learn the valuable lessons we learned from the fire - prevent future fires, regreen Lahaina and the surrounding hillsides, provide more robust infrastructure.

It's community, people and culture.

if decisions are made to change the fundamental way we live, and not restore Lahaina Town to its small town roots, If big box 15 minute city development replaces our rural neighborhood culture, Lahaina will be ruined. You can't walk to the store and the bank and shop for a family of 5 with a baby in a stroller in a Kona Storm Preserve our small town culture.

Reawakening of community spirit, realization that we are in this together and must work together, taking a hard Look at our economic situation (how much we depend on tourism-love it or not)

This question makes me very sad, because it is not clear.

People are mostly focused on their day-to-day situation. There is great opportunity, to quote Mufi Hanneman. But now, I do not see a vision for a new Lahaina.

The town is burnt to the ground. The strength is in its people who were holding on despite the odds stacked against them before the fire and are now struggling even more.

These people, not tourism businesses, part time residents or new arrivals should be making the decisions about Lahaina. Elected officials should get out of the way and serve only to empower those long time families of Lahaina.

The strengths of Lahaina after the fire is the Lahaina community. Please make sure to serve this community who has been here and continued to stay here.

Community is strong.

The people. Opportunity to be better

Lahaina residents are Lahaina town’s greatest strength.

They are the deep roots buried under the ashes, gathering strength to rise in the sun, when the air is clean and fresh again. They are connected under the soil, even if they are spread far apart. They are bonded to the land and will always return. They will grow stronger, and rebuild their beloved town, for their children and grandchildren.

The people of Lāhainā working together

So many acts of kindness, both large and small

Location, location location. Magically beauty. History

The people

The sense of community. Knowing how much we love Lahaina and want to stay here. The people. All the people. Even the haouleS! :)

Strengths are the many historic buildings and sites, activity parks for movies and music

Strengths after fire: same magical oceanfront location, clean air, water, and oceans. Much potential.

I suppose the strengths of Lahaina are the people and how everyone wants Lahaina back.

open slate. many designs to build better, smarter, more efficiently, which was lacking before

We are stronger! We are standing our ground and we are not leaving our aina!

The opportunity to rethink what the town looks like and how it can be resilient to climate change.

the people who have stayed to help make a difference.

Real motivation for the electrical company to manage their lines better.

I still hear of lines falling else where on the island starting fires.

Beautiful location, and opportunity to build back better:

turn Front Street into a walking mall with parking garages at the north and south ends and possibly a trolley that runs between the two; retain quaint nature of Front Street buildings (shops and restaurants) while using fire-retardant materials; include bike paths; restore historical sites; disallow hotels in the downtown; enlarge harbor.

* The community came together * The community showed how much they love Lahaina * Many people from around the world donated money, clothes etc.

The ability to improve the neighborhood’s that need better access and space for emergency vehicles.

It’s great that so many visitors want to help, whether it’s here volunteering or sending money from the mainland we have many people who love Lahaina and want to help our community.

This is amazing but many don’t know how, it should be advertised everywhere (airport) so visitors can sign up to assist while here. And, the same for donations, who to send to & how!

Opportunity to…

* Subsidize rebuild for generational local homes * Provide real sewage treatment * Pay more than lip service to mauka Kamehameha School field and electrical maintenance * Remove cars from Front st * Build for passive thermal efficiency and solar PV * Eliminate window AC * Tax hotels at rates equal to other islands

Opportunity

Return the land to the Hawaiian people.

We now recognize how dependent we are on each other.

And many people have stepped into leadership roles, both formally and informally. People believe that they can and should make their voices heard.

Resiliency of all the people in Lahaina.

Their concern for each other, historical places, and care of the land.

The resiliency of the Lahaina residents.

Lahaina still has great weather.

After the fire, Lahaina strengths were:

* The community came together * Being more aware of problems

Tamara Paltin, Office of recovery

Just the ocean views

The strength of Lahaina after the fire is the love that the community brings to each other.

The incomparable support of fellow residents and members of the community proved just how strong Lahaina.

Neighbors and communities helping each other.

So many acts of kindness, large and small.

One benefit of a fire is the opportunity to create better foundations and for each homeowner to be intentional about building something better than what was there before. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

The country leaders can and should aid property owners in their efforts to do this as quickly as possible so we can keep as many residents in Lahaina as possible. Our people are our aloha.

Strengths after the fire are the people, the community.

Let the people decide how to rebuild. Generational knowledge of the Local culture needs to be what rebuilds our town.

The natural beauty of the ocean and the mountains is still there.

I lost my house in the fire and left with nothing but what I was wearing.

Stores and restaurants were closed and we had no food or water. It was the locals that helped us by sharing what food and water they had. There was no one around from the government.

Lahaina's resilience, community unity, innovation in rebuilding, and commitment to sustainability stand out as strengths post-fire, shaping a stronger and more resilient community.

community response in the early days after the fire were awesome, regardless of how government handled things.

The People helped each other. There is a strong community still, but it is getting lost

The tragedy of the fires put the community to the test and showed the strength, unity and perseverance of the people of Lahaina and the larger community on Maui and Hawaii.

Neighbors came out to take care of each other even when they themselves had lost everything.

The ulu trees coming back. The passion of the community to build back better.

Rebuilding a new modernized leave out all the clutter just start over don’t try making it the same

A deeper sense of purpose in ""rebuilding the right way"

The community is still strong and cohesive. Family remains important.

Unity.

Government FINALLY recognizing the negative effects of over development in favor of tourism which nurtures GREED. Revelation of physical danger of overabundance of inorganic building substance. Government being aware to obvious reasons for disaster #4724 due to inadequate care of public utilities for residents while opposite done for new developments for wealthy non resident investors.

Incredible natural resources, and beautiful setting

Resiliency

A chance to examine ancient Hawaii, reroute the water what it was prior to rerouting for sugarcane and pineapple, have front street as a Memorial to lives lost. Replant and nourish Ulu trees