The heart of Lahaina, the historic town on the Hawaiian island of Maui, has finally reopened to residents and business owners after being devastated by a deadly wildfire in August. This marks an important emotional milestone for the victims of the fire, although there is still much work to be done to safely clear properties of burned debris and begin the rebuilding process. The reopened areas include Banyan Tree Park, which is home to a 150-year-old tree that miraculously survived the fire and is now sprouting new leaves. Also open are Lahaina's public library, an elementary school, and popular restaurants.

An oceanfront section of Front Street, where the fire tore through a traffic jam of cars trying to escape, had already reopened on Friday. However, authorities continue to emphasize the importance of wearing protective gear when entering scorched lots due to the toxic nature of the ash and dust left by the fire. On Sunday, the state Department of Health released test results confirming that the ash and dust are indeed toxic, with arsenic being the biggest concern. The levels were found to be 11 times higher than what is considered acceptable. Arsenic, a heavy metal, adheres to wildfire dust and ash, making it a significant health risk. The tests were conducted on ash samples collected from 100 properties built between the 1900s and 2000s, revealing high levels of lead as well. Lead was commonly used in paint for houses built before 1978.

State Health Director Kenneth Fink has highlighted that the ingestion of ash poses the greatest risk to the residents. The cleanup efforts are still in their early stages, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focusing on removing hazardous materials such as batteries, propane tanks, and pesticides from the town's more than 2,000 destroyed buildings. Once the EPA has cleared their lots, residents and business owners are allowed to visit their properties. Many of them, donning white full-body suits, masks, and gloves, have discovered precious family heirlooms and mementos amidst the charred rubble of their homes.

To further aid in the recovery process, the Army Corps of Engineers will begin hauling away the remaining debris and transporting it to a landfill once they receive permission from the property owners. In addition, the EPA and the state's health department have installed 53 air monitors throughout Lahaina and Upcountry Maui, where a separate fire burned homes in early August. The health department is urging people to avoid outdoor activities when air pollution levels are elevated, as indicated by the monitors, and to keep windows and doors closed.

The reopening of the heart of Lahaina is a significant step towards recovery for the residents and business owners affected by the devastating wildfire. Although there is still a long road ahead in terms of clearing debris and rebuilding, the resilience and determination of the community shines through as they work together to restore their beloved town.