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3 years after wildfire, hope spreads in Lahaina

By Lilla Marigza
July 29, 2026 | LAHAINA, Hawaii (UM News)

Three years after the devastating Lahaina wildfire, the congregation of Lahaina United Methodist Church continues to worship in an open-air sanctuary while working toward rebuilding. The church is partnering with the United Methodist Committee on Relief to create a mission hub that will support rebuilding efforts on Maui. Video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Three years after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century, Maui is still rebuilding. Homes are under construction and permits are in process, but recovery is measured in years — not months. Amid the challenges, one United Methodist congregation is showing how faith, resilience and volunteers can help rebuild not just their own church, but an entire community. Lilla Marigza reports from Lahaina.

 

Learn more

  • Follow the Rev. John Crewe’s rebuilding updates blog
  • You can contribute to the Lahaina United Methodist Church rebuilding fund through the church website.
  • Donations also can be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s U.S. Disaster Response and Recovery through Advance #901670.
The congregation of Lahaina United Methodist Church holds Sunday worship in an open-air pavilion nearly three years after the church’s 100-year-old sanctuary was destroyed by wildfire. Over three-quarters of church members lost their homes in the same fire. Photo by Lilla Marigza, UM News.
The congregation of Lahaina United Methodist Church holds Sunday worship in an open-air pavilion nearly three years after the church’s 100-year-old sanctuary was destroyed by wildfire. Over three-quarters of church members lost their homes in the same fire. Photo by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Marigza is a multimedia producer for UM News. Contact her at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.

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