Smoke rises from Lahaina on the morning of Aug. 9, 2023, the day after wildfires destroyed much of the historic West Maui town. (Ku’u Kahuanoe/Civil Beat/2023)

Smoke rises from Lahaina as seen through an airplane window Wednesday morning, Aug. 9, 2023, in Maui, Hawaii. A large fire consumed the historic West Maui town Aug. 8. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

The destruction of Lahaina was clearly visible from the air. Aerial photos quickly became iconic portrayals throughout the world. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

A single home, untouched on a street of burned homes, became known as “the miracle house.” (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

As the smoke cleared the day after the Lahaina fire, the extent of the the destruction came into focus. (Ku’u Kauanoe/Civil Beat/2023)

Civil Beat journalists were among the first people to enter Lahaina the day after the fire. (Ku’u Kauanoe/Civil Beat/2023)

The cause of the fire remained undetermined months later but some blamed downed power lines. (Ku’u Kauanoe/Civil Beat/2023)

Front Street in Lahaina was once one of Hawaii’s most visited tourist destinations. The fire incinerated most of the once popular restaurants and shops. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

At least 100 people died in the Lahaina fire, some of them trapped in vehicles trying to escape. (Ku’u Kauanoe/Civil Beat/2023)

A wheelchair remained at the Hale Mahaolu Eono grounds. The senior residential facility was destroyed. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Hale Mahaolu Eono was home to a number of people killed in the fire. Many of the 100 victims were elderly. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Wildfire destroyed an historic redwood home at Kula Sandalwoods Cafe and Inn in Upcountry. (Brittany Lyte/Civil Beat/2023)

A Kula home rented by then-Civil Beat reporter Marina Riker was one of 19 homes in Upcountry that were destroyed. (Marina Riker/Civil Beat/2023)

Kulalani Drive in Upper Kula was one of the hardest hit areas in Upcountry as fire seemed to randomly affect some areas. (Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023)

The Filipino and Latino communities in Lahaina lost many members. Family and friends asked for help in finding those who were missing. (Madeleine List/Civil Beat/2023)

Hundreds of people who lost their homes in the fire took refuge at shelters on Maui. The food line at the War Memorial Gymnasium filled up fast. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Kahului’s War Memorial Gymnasium welcomed displaced pets as well as humans, including Olalani. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Tons of donated items including food and supplies soon began flowing into Maui. Tens of millions of dollars came in through fundraisers worldwide. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Volunteers like Arlene Emerson of Kula worked long hours to help distribute needed supplies to victims of the fires. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

The fire quickly burned through much of Lahaina town and flying cinders propelled by high winds even engulfed boats moored in the harbor. (Ku’u Kauanoe/Civil Beat/2023)

The Buddha statue at the Jodo Mission in Lahaina was one of several spiritual sites that escaped the flames. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Some residents like Rolando Bumanglag, 65, returned to their homes immediately after the fires. Officials soon blocked access. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Rolando Bumanglag searched for his passport wearing only slippers. Later officials would warn residents to wear protective gear. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Officials moved quickly to restrict access to the Lahaina burn zone. Hawaii National Guard members helped searched for bodies along Front Street.. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Searchers marked an X on a building when no survivors or bodies were found. The block-by-block search of the burn zone took several weeks. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Search dogs accompanied their handlers into the burn zone to begin the gruesome yet necessary task of finding the casualties of the fire. (David Croxford/2023)

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Memorials to the victims soon appeared, including this series of makeshift crosses along the Lahaina Bypass. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)

Within days of the fires, national media flocked to Maui and regularly grilled officials at what became contentious media briefings. (Christina Jedra/Civil Beat/2023)

Maui Police Chief John Pelletier and Mayor Richard Bissen soon found themselves pressured to answer questions about the fire response. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Maui residents soon began demanding answers from county officials. Upcountry residents packed a meeting on water safety in Kula. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Parents aired their frustrations with the DOE during a contentious public meeting in Napili. (Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023)

President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Gov. Josh Green and his wife, Jaime Green, toured the Lahaina burn zone in the weeks after the fire. (Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023)

President Biden greeted West Maui waterman Archie Kalepa, center, and other Hawaiian community leaders in Lahaina. (Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023)

A federal resources fair drew hundreds of people in need of assistance in Lahaina. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Kathleen Castro holds her puppy Mimi while Hazel Castro looks over paperwork. Many people lost important paperwork in the fires. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Jennifer Sabas, Rep. Jill Tokuda and Sen. Mazie Hirono helped victims at the resource fair, which was hosted by Tokuda and Hirono. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)

Weeks after the fire, rental cars sat idle near the Maui airport. Tourism fell sharply, causing a major problem for the economy. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)

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A ferocious, wind-whipped wildfire razed most of the seaside town of Lahaina on Aug. 8. At least 102 people died in the blaze. (Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023)