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Lahaina Harbor and Lighthouse
Located within the Lahaina & Kaanapali Region on Maui
This lighthouse was the first in Hawaii and one of the earliest on the US Pacific Coast. It stood in front of the historic Pioneer Inn (destroyed in the August 2023 wildfire) and was built in 1840 to help guide whaleboats coming ashore. The tower grew from a 9-foot wooden tower at construction to 26 feet in 1866. Whale oil provided the light that was kept burning by a Hawaiian lighthouse watchman. In 1905 it was rebuilt, and in 1916, the US Coast Guard dedicated the current concrete lighthouse. The concrete tower itself survived the August 2023 fire and still stands at the harbor, off Front Street in the center of Lahaina.
August 2023 — Catastrophic Wildfire
Devastating wildfires destroyed much of Lahaina town on Maui in August 2023, including devastation along Front Street and much of the surrounding areas. Lahaina Small Boat Harbor sustained an estimated $30 million in damage and was closed for over two years. In December 2025, the harbor began a phased reopening for limited commercial ocean operations. Much of the surrounding area, including Banyan Tree Park and many historic sites, remains under reconstruction. The rebuild is ongoing and expected to continue for several years. See our Lahaina rebuilding update for the latest on the town's recovery.
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Dry conditions on Oʻahu today, with breezy wind in exposed areas. Drier weather continues through Wednesday as moisture clears out.
A medium-sized northwest swell will bring elevated surf to north and west-facing shores tonight through Sunday morning—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. Winds remain breezy through Sunday, easing slightly Monday and Tuesday before picking up again Wednesday. A Small Craft Advisory is active through Monday morning for most coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Scattered showers arrive Thursday into Friday.
South and west shore beaches work well through Sunday for calmer conditions. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're drawn to bigger waves.
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Skies are drying out across Maui today through Wednesday as moisture clears. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed and terrain-favored spots.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell moves in—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then strengthen again Wednesday. The next chance of scattered showers arrives Thursday through Friday.
If you're heading to the beach, south and west shores are your best bet through Sunday. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're into bigger waves.
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Mostly clear and dry today on the Big Island, with noticeably breezy winds in exposed areas and terrain-favored spots. That breeze continues through Sunday.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell arrives—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. South shores stay small. A Small Craft Advisory covers most coastal waters through Monday morning due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive statewide Thursday to Friday.
Head to the south and west shores for beach and snorkeling through Sunday. If bigger waves interest you, the north shore has surf to watch tonight into Sunday morning.
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Drier air is moving in through Wednesday. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed areas.
Tonight into Sunday morning, a medium-sized northwest swell will push elevated surf onto the north and west shores—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive Thursday or Friday.
Hit the south and west shores for swimming and snorkeling through Sunday. If you want to watch big waves, the north shore is worth a look tonight into Sunday morning.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
