Navigation Back Search
Search

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 [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.

Related Tags

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Church Growth
The Rev. Eric Kalumba Nkulu, a Global Ministries missionary assigned as a church planter in Madagascar, receives the first stone of a new United Methodist church building from a local construction worker in Sambava, Madagascar. The church will be home to a growing congregation in the northern part of the country. Photo by Rosette Viviane, UM News.

New churches take root in Madagascar
United Methodists continue evangelism efforts on the island nation, breaking ground on two new buildings for congregations in the north and west.
Judicial Council
The United Methodist Judicial Council has postponed a ruling related to a dispute over a church closing in California, but issued two memorandums on other agenda items during its Oct. 21-23 fall meeting. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Top court delays ruling related to California church closure
The United Methodist Judicial Council will continue deliberations on Nov. 16 concerning a decision of law by Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank regarding the closure of La Trinidad United Methodist Church in California.
Disaster Relief
Volunteers from the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s Disaster Management Office in the East Congo Episcopal Area supervise the sorting and distribution of food in the courtyard of Amani Parish in Goma, Congo. The monthly assistance program provided aid to 300 vulnerable United Methodist households affected by armed conflict in North Kivu. Photo by Jolie Shabani Mulebinge, UM News.

Church supports families affected by war in Congo
United Methodist Committee on Relief distributes monthly food kits to 300 vulnerable families and a church orphanage in Goma.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved