Some Lahaina residents returned to their burned out neighborhood while dangers still loom

Holly Yan
By Steve Almasy and Holly Yan, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 9:16 PM EDT, Mon September 25, 2023
Sarah Salmonese sits where her apartment once stood in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday, August 11.
Sarah Salmonese sits where her apartment once stood in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday, August 11.
Go Nakamura/The New York Times/Redux
Ken Alba carries a bag of ice at a food and supply distribution center that was set up in the parking lot of a Lahaina shopping mall on Thursday, August 17.
Ken Alba carries a bag of ice at a food and supply distribution center that was set up in the parking lot of a Lahaina shopping mall on Thursday, August 17.
Jae C. Hong/AP
Fences are built around destroyed neighborhoods in Lahaina on August 17.
Fences are built around destroyed neighborhoods in Lahaina on August 17.
Yuki Iwamura/AFP/Getty Images
Destroyed homes are seen in Lahaina on Wednesday, August 16.
Destroyed homes are seen in Lahaina on Wednesday, August 16.
Jae C. Hong/AP
The state flag of Hawaii flies over a sign in Lahaina that says "tourist keep out" on August 16. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/08/17/exp-maui-tourists-wildfires-lee-intvw-081712aseg2-us.cnn" target="_blank">Vacationers are being asked to stay home</a> as Maui recovers. Many hotels are housing evacuees.
The state flag of Hawaii flies over a sign in Lahaina that says "tourist keep out" on August 16. Vacationers are being asked to stay home as Maui recovers. Many hotels are housing evacuees.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images
A woman lays down flowers and prays on a hillside overlooking the rubble of Lahaina on August 16.
A woman lays down flowers and prays on a hillside overlooking the rubble of Lahaina on August 16.
Bryan Anselm/The New York Times/Redux
The Lahaina neighborhood of Wahikuli Terrace is seen on Tuesday, August 15.
The Lahaina neighborhood of Wahikuli Terrace is seen on Tuesday, August 15.
Mike Blake/Reuters
Search-and-rescue workers look through damage in Lahaina on August 15.
Search-and-rescue workers look through damage in Lahaina on August 15.
Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Foster/US Army National Guard
An FBI agent watches as two additional refrigerated storage containers arrive next to the Maui Police Forensic Facility where human remains were being stored in Wailuku, Hawaii, on Monday, August 14.
An FBI agent watches as two additional refrigerated storage containers arrive next to the Maui Police Forensic Facility where human remains were being stored in Wailuku, Hawaii, on Monday, August 14.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images
A spoon lies in the rubble of a home destroyed by the wildfire in Kula, Hawaii, on August 14.
A spoon lies in the rubble of a home destroyed by the wildfire in Kula, Hawaii, on August 14.
Rick Bowmer/AP
Lauren Haley sprays water on hot spots in her Kula neighborhood on August 14.
Lauren Haley sprays water on hot spots in her Kula neighborhood on August 14.
Bryan Anselm/The New York Times/Redux
JP Mayoga, a chef at the Westin Maui Resort, is embraced by his wife, Makalea Ahhee, at the hotel near Lahaina on Sunday, August 13. About 200 employees were living at the hotel with their families.
JP Mayoga, a chef at the Westin Maui Resort, is embraced by his wife, Makalea Ahhee, at the hotel near Lahaina on Sunday, August 13. About 200 employees were living at the hotel with their families.
Rick Bowmer/AP
Volunteers in Kihei, Hawaii, load water onto a boat to be transported to West Maui on August 13.
Volunteers in Kihei, Hawaii, load water onto a boat to be transported to West Maui on August 13.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
People pray during a church service in Wailuku on August 13. The Maui Coffee Attic opened up space for the service after a wildfire destroyed Lahaina's Grace Baptist Church.
People pray during a church service in Wailuku on August 13. The Maui Coffee Attic opened up space for the service after a wildfire destroyed Lahaina's Grace Baptist Church.
Yuki Iwamura/AFP/Getty Images
People wait in line at a checkpoint to gain access to Lahaina on Saturday, August 12.
People wait in line at a checkpoint to gain access to Lahaina on Saturday, August 12.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Volunteers offload supplies that would be delivered to a distribution center for evacuees in Napili-Honokowai, Hawaii, on August 12.
Volunteers offload supplies that would be delivered to a distribution center for evacuees in Napili-Honokowai, Hawaii, on August 12.
Max Whittaker/The New York Times/Redux
Honolulu Fire Department responders work in Lahaina on August 11.
Honolulu Fire Department responders work in Lahaina on August 11.
Go Nakamura/The New York Times/Redux
This aerial photo shows the shells of burned houses, vehicles and buildings in Lahaina on August 11.
This aerial photo shows the shells of burned houses, vehicles and buildings in Lahaina on August 11.
Go Nakamura/The New York Times/Redux
Zoltan Balogh clears away trees that were burned by the wildfire in Kula.
Zoltan Balogh clears away trees that were burned by the wildfire in Kula.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Cars are backed up on the Honoapiilani Highway as residents are allowed back into wildfire-affected areas on August 11.
Cars are backed up on the Honoapiilani Highway as residents are allowed back into wildfire-affected areas on August 11.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Volunteers in Maalaea, Hawaii, watch truckloads of donated food and supplies depart for Lahaina on August 10.
Volunteers in Maalaea, Hawaii, watch truckloads of donated food and supplies depart for Lahaina on August 10.
Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Wildfire wreckage is seen in Lahaina on August 10.
Wildfire wreckage is seen in Lahaina on August 10.
Rick Bowmer/AP
Volunteers stack canned goods at the War Memorial Stadium in Kahului.
Volunteers stack canned goods at the War Memorial Stadium in Kahului.
Mengshin Lin/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Burned cars sit in Lahaina on August 10.
Burned cars sit in Lahaina on August 10.
Evelio Contreras/CNN
Vixay Phonxaylinkham holds his 4-year-old child Lana while they wait for their flight at the Kahului Airport on August 10. Phonoxaylinkham, his wife and their five children were heading back to California. They had been caught in the wildfires, but they survived by spending four hours in the ocean.
Vixay Phonxaylinkham holds his 4-year-old child Lana while they wait for their flight at the Kahului Airport on August 10. Phonoxaylinkham, his wife and their five children were heading back to California. They had been caught in the wildfires, but they survived by spending four hours in the ocean.
Marco Garcia/Reuters
People arrive on school buses to evacuate the Maui airport on August 10.
People arrive on school buses to evacuate the Maui airport on August 10.
Claire Rush/AP
Building wreckage is seen in Lahaina on August 10.
Building wreckage is seen in Lahaina on August 10.
Evelio Contreras/CNN
Myrna Ah Hee reacts as she waits in front of an evacuation center in Wailuku on August 10. The Ah Hees were looking for her husband's brother. Their home in Lahaina was spared, but the homes of many of their relatives were destroyed by wildfires.
Myrna Ah Hee reacts as she waits in front of an evacuation center in Wailuku on August 10. The Ah Hees were looking for her husband's brother. Their home in Lahaina was spared, but the homes of many of their relatives were destroyed by wildfires.
Rick Bowmer/AP