Fire
The August 2023 Lahaina wildfire was one of the most catastrophic events in Hawaiian history, destroying approximately 2,200 homes and displacing 6,000-7,000 residents. This topic covers the fire event, its root causes in infrastructure and land management failures, and the recovery strategies proposed by the thesis.
Sections
The Four-Buffer Framework
Coastal, riparian, peri-urban, and water collection zones forming the backbone of the recovery plan.
The 2023 Wildfire - Cause, Spread, and Damage
How the August 2023 wildfire ignited, spread through Lahaina, and exposed systemic infrastructure failures.
History of Lahaina
From royal capital to tourism economy, key spatial events that shaped the town.
Drawings
Sections - Before Fire
Cross-sections showing Lahaina's spatial condition before the 2023 wildfire
Buffer Framework Base Plan
Base plan showing the coastal, riparian, and peri-urban buffer extents with the primary circulation framework
Peri-Urban Buffer
Agricultural transition zone between the proposed boulevard and highway serving as firebreak
Buffer Framework - Mauka to Makai
Conceptual section showing four buffer zones from hinterland to nearshore: coastal, peri-urban, riparian, and hinterland catchment
Complete Buffer System
All four buffer zones overlaid — coastal, riparian, peri-urban, and water collection — in one comprehensive plan
Burnt vs. Unburnt Overlay
Map showing burned and unburned structures across Lahaina after the 2023 wildfire
Sections - Current Condition
Cross-sections showing Lahaina's devastated condition after the 2023 wildfire
Diagnostic Overlay — Systemic Vulnerabilities
Composite analysis showing overlapping infrastructure, water, and fire vulnerabilities across Lahaina
Fire Footprint: Before & After
Pre-fire urban fabric compared to post-fire footprint with 1-foot contour intervals
Historical Timeline - 1795 to 2023
Visual timeline of major events in Lahaina from pre-contact era through the 2023 wildfire
Peri-Urban Buffer - 3D View
3D visualization of peri-urban agricultural buffer zone with water management and fire-resistant vegetation
Peri-Urban Buffer Map
Plan showing the peri-urban firebreak and agricultural transition zone between the rebuilt town and the highway
Post-Fire Aerial View
Satellite image of Lahaina after the 2023 wildfire showing extent of burn damage
Pre-Fire Aerial View
Satellite image of Lahaina before the 2023 wildfire showing coastal development and agricultural land
Proposed Recovery Framework
Hypothesis diagram showing four-buffer framework with coastal, peri-urban, riparian, and hinterland zones surrounding a protected urban core
Sources
Maui's Deadly Firestorm
PBS FRONTLINE — Investigative documentary examining the causes of the 2023 wildfire and systemic failures in emergency response
Post-Event Mobility and Evacuation Analysis
Maui County Office of Recovery — Analysis of evacuation failures during the 2023 wildfire; directly informs the proposed mobility redesign
Preliminary Post-Fire Transportation Assessment, West Maui
Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation — Assessment of transportation damage and temporary solutions after the wildfire; identifies critical infrastructure gaps
Buffer Zone Principles
Singh, Akhil — Comprehensive framework for coastal, riparian, agricultural, water retention, and residential buffer zones