By Benjamin Finnerty (S), REALTOR® (RS-83812) with Keller Williams Realty Maui · Kīhei, Maui · 808-481-9748

Quick Answer: In October 2026, rebuilding started on two Lahaina Front Street sites lost in the August 8, 2023 wildfire. Lahaina Residential, 60 homes in six two-story buildings at 1034 Front Street, set construction to begin October 19 with about 18 months to finish. At 612 Front Street, a 4,400-square-foot commercial building is targeting a summer 2027 opening.

I’m Benjamin Finnerty, a REALTOR® in Kīhei with Keller Williams Realty Maui. More than three years after the fire, the Lahaina Front Street rebuild has reached a visible milestone: a residential condo community and the street’s first permanent commercial rebuild both broke ground this month. Here’s what’s being built, how the broader recovery is tracking, and what I’d check if you’re considering property in Lahaina.

What is being rebuilt on Lahaina’s Front Street?

Two projects broke ground in October 2026, one residential and one commercial.

Project	Lahaina Residential	612 Front Street
Address	1034 Front Street	612 Front Street
Type	60 homes in six two-story buildings (association of apartment owners)	One-story commercial building, about 4,400 sq ft, plus a 310 sq ft kiosk
Ceremony	Blessing and groundbreaking, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026	Blessing, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026
Timeline	Construction set to begin Oct. 19, 2026; about 18 months	About six months of construction; opening targeted for summer 2027
General contractor	Arita Poulson General Contracting	Arita Poulson General Contracting

Lahaina Residential. The community sits in the Lahaina Historic District next to the U.S. Marine Hospital. The six buildings will be rebuilt to their original size and layout, with upgrades that include fire-resistant siding and roofing, defensible space and fire-safe landscaping, native plants, low-flow plumbing fixtures and infrastructure for future EV chargers. The project team worked with County historic representatives on exterior materials and design. Thomas Ravey, president of the Association of Apartment Owners of Lahaina Residential, spoke at the ceremony.

612 Front Street. Owned by AJI LLC and managed by Pacific Rim Land, the building is described as a like-for-like rebuild that honors the historic district, using metal roofing and cement or concrete siding in place of wood. Pacific Whale Foundation plans to return as the anchor tenant. Hawaiʻi Public Radio and Hawaii News Now both described it as the first commercial rebuild on Front Street since the fire.

How is the overall Lahaina rebuild progressing?

Steadily, but most lots are still waiting. In its Hawaiʻi Housing Factbook 2026, published in May, UHERO reported 991 rebuilding permits on Maui, 634 of them issued, and found that about 57% of fire-damaged lots showed no permit activity. The County announced its 100th completed structure in the wildfire-affected areas in December 2025.

That gap between early movers and lots with no activity is why a pair of Front Street groundbreakings matters. A rebuilt condo community and a returning anchor business give buyers and owners a clearer picture of what the street will look like, even though much of the surrounding area is still in progress.

For lots closer to the shoreline, permitting is its own process; I covered the County’s new fast track in my post on Lahaina SMA permits. Owners who are still deciding whether to rebuild may want to review Hoʻokumu Hou rebuilding aid, which has a December 31, 2026 application deadline.

What should buyers know about a rebuilt Lahaina condo?

A rebuilt condo is new construction inside an existing association, and that combination raises its own questions. Before going firm on a unit in any rebuilding complex, I’d want answers to these:

• Completion and occupancy. What’s the construction schedule, and when can owners expect a certificate of occupancy? An 18-month estimate is a plan, not a promise.
• Money. How is the rebuild being funded: insurance proceeds, owner assessments, loans or a mix? Are any special assessments outstanding or planned?
• Reserves and insurance. What will the association’s reserve study and association insurance policy look like once the buildings are complete? Fire-resistant materials may matter to insurers, but premiums are set by the carrier.
• Rules. What do the bylaws and house rules say about rentals, and how do Maui County’s short-term rental rules apply to the property’s zoning?
• Financing. Can your lender finance a unit in a complex under construction? Many can’t until the project is finished and meets agency condo standards.

My post on condo reserves and special assessments explains which Hawaiʻi documents to request.

My Take: What I’m Telling Buyers and Owners About Lahaina

When I compare condo complexes for a buyer, I look at what each one offers in amenities, the association’s history of financial decisions, and the total HOA costs and what they cover. For a complex that’s rebuilding, those questions get sharper. The association’s financial decisions over the last three years, including how it handled insurance proceeds and whether it borrowed, will shape what owners pay for years. I’d read the board minutes from the rebuild period, not just the current budget.

For buyers looking at Lahaina in general, I’d separate the visible progress on Front Street from the condition of any specific lot or building. Ask for the permit history, check what’s been issued on neighboring parcels, and walk the area so you can see how construction activity, access and utilities look today.

For owners who haven’t decided whether to rebuild or sell, the Front Street projects show that rebuilding is moving, but every lot’s math is different. Put the cost to rebuild, insurance, aid eligibility and today’s land values side by side before deciding. I’m glad to help with the market side of that comparison.

This is general information, not tax or legal advice; confirm with a CPA or Hawaiʻi attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Lahaina Residential be finished?
Construction was set to begin October 19, 2026, with completion expected in about 18 months. Timelines can change.

What is the first commercial rebuild on Front Street?
612 Front Street, where a blessing was held October 12, 2026. Pacific Whale Foundation plans to return as the anchor tenant, with an opening targeted for summer 2027.

How many Lahaina lots have rebuilding permits?
UHERO’s 2026 Housing Factbook reported 991 rebuilding permits on Maui, 634 issued, and about 57% of fire-damaged lots with no permit activity at the time of its report.

Can I get a mortgage on a condo in a building that’s still being rebuilt?
Often not until construction is complete and the project meets lender and agency standards. Talk with a lender early.

Ask Benjamin

If you’re considering property in Lahaina, or you own there and want to understand your options, I’m Benjamin Finnerty, and I’m happy to help you sort through permits, association documents and recent sales. Call or text 808-481-9748 or email benjamin@the808team.com.

Sources: Maui Now (Oct. 3, 2026); The Maui News (Sept. 30 and Oct. 6, 2026); Hawaii News Now (Oct. 12, 2026); Hawaiʻi Public Radio (Oct. 14, 2026); UHERO, Hawaiʻi Housing Factbook 2026 (May 2026); County of Maui (Dec. 2, 2025).