HONOLULU (KHON2) — The first business returned to Lahaina just before the second anniversary of the tragic wildfires.
According to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the disaster claimed about 800 businesses, which provided about 7,000 jobs in the community.
HI Surf Club Maui is now the first of those businesses to return home to Lahaina.
This new beginning for business owner Andrew Nakihei is a symbol of hope to all the other businesses in Lahaina that they will return home one day.
The surf club has now been open for over a month, operating out of a donated van, on the same grounds where their original building once stood on Breakwall Beach.
“This beach is where I learned how to surf, and many others in Lahaina Town. I have two daughters… this is where they learn how to surf,” Nakihei said.
The surf school operated from a rented space provided by the Hakuna Matata Hostel, owned by Daniel Miranda, before both were lost in the fire.
“The biggest key is the access to the beach, that’s why everybody can’t fathom how we are operating. Nobody knows we have a permit,” Nakihei said. “Everybody thinks we are doing the rogue.”
HI Surf Club Maui was able to obtain a permit from the state to resume operations since they have private property access to the beach, whereas other surf schools access the beach from Kamehameha Ike Park, which is still closed.
“Our situation is different; we don’t access the water through the park; we access it through private property. So, we just needed a permit from the state, not the county,” Miranda said. “That’s why we are the only ones operating, because we have access to the water through private property.”
Four days after the fire, Nakihei had to begin work at another job to provide for his family and pay his mortgage.
“I couldn’t even grieve; I couldn’t even be sad,” he said.
Once he had enough money to keep his family afloat, he invested the rest to reopen the surf school.
“I purchased about $25,000 worth of boards, which is a lot,” Nakihei said. “Overall, I have about $40,000 invested.”
He did not receive any support from the state for rebuilding his business.
“I would love to see more available funding for small businesses, like mine, and regular businesses,” Nakihei said.
As far as business goes, he says it’s “trickling in.”
The road to recovery will be long, but Nakihei wants to keep spirits high for the Lahaina community.
“Keep your head and keep pushing forward. You can’t dwell on the past. There is hope.” he said. “We love everybody, we love Lahaina, and we know Lahaina loves us.”
Please support the HI Surf Club Maui and visit their website.