How Maui’s 151-year-old banyan tree is coming back to life after fire

How Maui’s 151-year-old banyan tree is coming back to life after fire

LAHAINA, Hawaii —  When a deadly wildfire tore through Lahaina on Maui last August, the wall of flames scorched the 151-year-old banyan tree along the historic town’s Front Street. But the sprawling tree survived the blaze, and thanks to the efforts of arborists and dedicated volunteers, parts of it are growing back — and even … Read more

Maui wildfire victims reach $4 billion settlement resolving hundreds of lawsuits

Maui wildfire victims reach  billion settlement resolving hundreds of lawsuits

The parties in lawsuits seeking damages for last year’s Maui wildfires have reached a $4 billion global settlement, a court filing said Friday, nearly one year after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. The office of Hawaii Gov. Josh Green confirmed the $4.037 billion settlement, saying in a news release that it … Read more

Some Maui vacation rental owners oppose housing wildfire survivors

Some Maui vacation rental owners oppose housing wildfire survivors

Four months since the August Lahaina and Kula wildfires on the island of Maui, Hawaii’s government has been struggling to find suitable long-term housing for the thousands of survivors who no longer have a place to call home. More than 6,000 people are still living in hotels — and many have been shuffled between these hotels multiple … Read more