Impact of wildfires on the local community

The wildfires that swept through Maui nearly two years ago left a profound mark on the local community, particularly in Lahaina, where entire neighborhoods were reduced to ash. Families lost homes, businesses were destroyed, and the emotional toll continues to ripple through the island. For many residents, the trauma of evacuation, displacement, and loss remains fresh, with recovery efforts still ongoing in several areas.

Local schools, including Lahainaluna High School, faced significant disruptions. Classrooms were damaged or repurposed for emergency relief, and many students were forced to relocate or adapt to remote learning. The fires not only disrupted education but also fractured the sense of normalcy and routine that young people rely on for stability.

Community hubs such as surf shops, cafes, and cultural centres that once served as gathering places were either destroyed or severely impacted. These losses have made it harder for residents to reconnect and rebuild the social fabric that defines island life. Yet, amidst the devastation, the spirit of aloha has remained strong, with neighbours supporting one another and volunteers from across Hawaii and beyond stepping in to help with rebuilding efforts.

For the surfing community, the fires meant more than just the loss of physical spaces. Several popular surf breaks were temporarily inaccessible due to debris and safety concerns, and local competitions were postponed or cancelled. The ocean, however, remained a place of solace and healing for many. Surfers returned to the water as soon as conditions allowed, using the waves as a way to process grief and reconnect with their roots.

“The ocean has always been our sanctuary,” said a local Lahaina surfer. “Even when everything else was gone, the waves were still there, reminding us of who we are.”

As the community continues to recover, the impact of the wildfires serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of island life in the face of climate change and natural disasters. But it also highlights the strength and unity of Maui’s people, who continue to rebuild not just their homes, but their way of life.

Resilience through high school surfing

In the wake of the wildfires, high school surfing emerged as a powerful symbol of resilience for Maui’s youth. For many students, returning to the waves was more than just a return to sport—it was a reclaiming of identity and a step toward healing. Lahainaluna High School’s surf team, despite facing logistical challenges and emotional hurdles, rallied together with renewed purpose. With their school partially damaged and many teammates displaced, the surfers leaned on each other and the ocean to find stability in uncertain times.

Training sessions became informal support groups, where students could share their experiences and emotions while paddling out together. Coaches, many of whom were affected by the fires themselves, played a crucial role in fostering a sense of normalcy and encouragement. They emphasised not just performance, but the importance of community, mental health, and cultural connection through surfing.

For these young athletes, surfing was more than competition—it was a way to honour their home and heritage. The act of riding waves off the same shores that had witnessed so much loss became a quiet form of resistance and remembrance. Students spoke of feeling a deeper connection to the land and sea, and of surfing as a way to carry forward the stories of their families and communities.

“Every time we paddle out, we’re showing that Lahaina is still here,” said one Lahainaluna team member. “We’re not just surfing for ourselves—we’re surfing for everyone who can’t.”

Despite limited resources and the ongoing recovery efforts, the high school surfing season pressed on. Teams from across the island came together not just to compete, but to support one another. Events were marked by moments of silence, shared meals, and cultural ceremonies that honoured those lost and celebrated the strength of those who remained. The camaraderie among schools reflected a broader island-wide solidarity, with surfing serving as a unifying force in a time of division and displacement.

Parents, alumni, and local surf legends also stepped in, offering mentorship, equipment, and transportation to ensure students could continue participating. Donations of boards and wetsuits poured in from across Hawaii and even from international surf communities, underscoring the global reach of the surfing ‘ohana. These acts of generosity helped sustain the season and reminded the students that they were not alone in their journey.

Through it all, the waves off Maui’s coast became a classroom of their own—teaching lessons in perseverance, unity, and the enduring power of culture. For the students of Lahainaluna and other Maui schools, surfing was not just a sport this season—it was a lifeline.

Final competition at Lahaina Harbor

This month’s final high school surfing competition at Lahaina Harbor carried a weight far beyond the usual stakes of athletic performance. Set against the backdrop of a community still healing, the event was both a celebration and a tribute. The harbor, once surrounded by scorched hillsides and smoke-filled skies, now echoed with the cheers of teammates, families, and spectators who had gathered not just to witness a contest, but to reclaim a cherished space.

Conditions on the day were near perfect—clean sets rolling in under a bright sky, with light offshore winds brushing the surface. For many of the competitors, it was their first time surfing Lahaina Harbor since the fires, and the return to this iconic break was deeply emotional. The lineup was filled with familiar faces, some of whom had lost homes or loved ones, all united by a shared love for the ocean and the sport.

Before the heats began, a traditional Hawaiian blessing was held on the beach. Kumu hula and community elders led a short ceremony, offering chants and prayers to honour those affected by the fires and to give thanks for the resilience of the youth. Surfers stood in a circle, boards in hand, heads bowed in silence. The moment was a powerful reminder of the cultural roots of surfing in Hawaii and the spiritual connection between people and place.

As the competition got underway, the energy was electric. Lahainaluna surfers, wearing red and white rash guards, paddled out with determination and pride. Their performances reflected not only skill but heart—each ride a testament to months of perseverance. Spectators lined the seawall, clapping and calling out encouragement, while volunteers handed out fresh fruit and water under pop-up tents.

One standout moment came during the girls’ final, when a Lahainaluna senior executed a flawless cutback on a shoulder-high right, drawing cheers from the crowd. Her victory was met with tears and hugs from teammates, many of whom had trained alongside her through the most difficult year of their lives. In the boys’ division, a tight heat between Lahainaluna and Baldwin High School ended with a shared embrace between competitors, underscoring the spirit of sportsmanship that defined the day.

Beyond the scores and trophies, the event served as a reunion for the broader Maui surfing community. Coaches from rival schools exchanged stories and laughs, while parents and alumni reminisced about past seasons. Surf industry representatives from Oahu and the Big Island were also present, offering support and scouting talent, further validating the importance of the event on a statewide level.

As the sun dipped low over the West Maui Mountains, the awards ceremony took place on the sand. Medals were handed out, but so too were lei, hugs, and words of encouragement. The final competition at Lahaina Harbor was more than just the end of a season—it was a moment of collective healing, a declaration that despite everything, the waves still roll in, and Maui’s young surfers are still riding them with pride.

Impact of wildfires on the local community

Two years on from the catastrophic wildfires that tore through Maui, the scars still run deep across the island. Lahaina, once a bustling coastal town with a rich cultural heartbeat, was among the hardest hit. Entire neighbourhoods were reduced to ash, and the local surf community wasn’t spared — boards, boats, and beloved breaks were lost in the chaos.

Locals say the fires didn’t just burn homes — they singed memories. Generations of families who grew up fishing off the rocks and paddling out before school were suddenly left without their gear, their spots, and in some cases, their livelihoods. The ocean, though, remained — a salty constant in a world turned upside down.

“We lost everything but the waves,” said one Lahaina grom, now a senior at Lahainaluna High. “The lineup became our therapy. No matter what, the swell still rolls in.”

Community efforts kicked in fast. Local surf shops and mainland mates rallied to donate boards and wetsuits. Fishing crews shared gear and catch with families doing it tough. The spirit of aloha, mixed with a bit of Aussie-style grit, kept the community paddling forward.

• Over 2,200 structures were damaged or destroyed in the fires
• Hundreds of students were displaced, many of them surfers and fishos
• Local surf comps were paused, but the groms kept training — barefoot and fired up

Despite the devastation, the community’s bond with the ocean only deepened. The sea became more than a playground — it became a place of healing, a reminder that even after the worst wipeout, you can still duck dive and rise again.

Celebrating resilience through high school surfing

This month’s final high school surf comp at Lahaina Harbor wasn’t just about scores or trophies — it was a full-blown celebration of grit, stoke, and the kind of resilience you only find in a crew that’s been through hell and still paddles out smiling. The swell wasn’t epic, but the energy? Off the charts.

Groms from across the island waxed up and hit the lineup with a fire that had nothing to do with the forecast. Lahainaluna High’s team, many of whom lost homes or family businesses in the fires, showed up with borrowed boards and big hearts. Every heat felt like a victory lap — not just for the surfers, but for the whole community watching from the breakwall.

“We’re not just surfing for points — we’re surfing for Lahaina,” said Keoni, a junior who’s been charging since he could stand on a boogie board. “Every wave we catch is a reminder we’re still here, still ripping.”

Parents, aunties, uncles, and even a few salty old fishos lined the harbor, cheering like it was the Pipeline Masters. There were tears, laughs, and more than a few shakas thrown. One uncle grilled fresh mahi on the tailgate of his ute, handing out plates to anyone who looked hungry — classic island hospitality with a side of Aussie-style mateship.

• Lahainaluna High took top honours in the team division
• Three surfers landed their first-ever aerials — and stuck the landings
• Local fishers donated prizes: fresh catch, tackle kits, and even a hand-carved ulu knife

It wasn’t just a comp — it was a statement. That no matter how hard the island’s been hit, the next generation is still charging, still smiling, and still finding joy in the lineup. Because when the waves keep coming, so do the surfers — and these kids? They’re not backing down anytime soon.