Get All Access for $5/mo

36 Dead in Maui Tragedy, Historic Home Burnt to the Ground Amid Wildfire Chaos Devastating wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, have left 36 dead and countless structures destroyed, including Maui's oldest home, the Baldwin House.

By Sam Silverman

Key Takeaways

  • The blaze ran through the historic town of Lahaina, located on Maui's island, killing 36 people.
  • The historic Baldwin Home, which had been standing since the 1830s, was also burned to the ground.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Wildfires in Maui continue to rage due to atmospheric conditions that have created "fire weather," per CBS. The blaze ran through the historic town of Lahaina on Wednesday, located on Maui's island, causing the evacuation of 11,000 tourists and killing 36 people, according to the New York Times.

So far, 271 structures were also damaged or destroyed in the blaze, per AP News, including Maui's Baldwin Home, the oldest house on the island.

Built between 1834 and 1835, the home was first intended to be a "missionary compound" to house medical missionaries, Dwight Baldwin and Charlotte Fowler Baldwin, according to the landmark's website. Baldwin is credited for saving Maui from the smallpox epidemic.

The Baldwin family deeded the home to the Lahaina Restoration Foundation in 1967.

Shutterstock/Atomazul | Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii - April 11, 2023: Historic Baldwin Home Museum. Built in 1834. The village of Lahaina burned down four months later, on August 8, 2023.

The historic landmark was burned to the ground after the roof caught fire. Theo Morrison, the executive director of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation, confirmed that the home was turned to ashes.

"We had no preparation, no warning, nothing," Morrison told the New York Times about the disaster.

In addition to Baldwin House, the island's heritage museum and courthouse were also torched.

"This is the worst destructive thing that has happened in this town's entire history," she said.

With rescue efforts underway as thousands of people shelter in place, tourism on the island has come to an abrupt halt.

Tourism is Maui's "economic engine" with about 80% of every dollar generated directly or indirectly by the visitor industry, according to the Maui Economic Development Board. Maui's hotel tax generates $20 million annually.

Sam Silverman

Content Strategy Editor

Sam Silverman is a content strategy editor at Entrepreneur Media. She specializes in search engine optimization (SEO), and her work can be found in The US Sun, Nicki Swift, In Touch Weekly, Life & Style and Health. She writes for our news team with a focus on investigating scandals. Her coverage and expertise span from business news, entrepreneurship, technology, and true crime, to the latest in entertainment and TV news. Sam is a graduate of Lehigh University and currently resides in NYC. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Science & Technology

Use This Framework to Successfully Integrate AI Into Your Business Operations

Here's how to ensure both innovation and compliance when using AI in your organization.

Growing a Business

Why Business Owners Should Streamline Their Operations Now for Success in 2025

As the holiday season and year-end approach, business owners face heightened operational demands, from inventory management to spend control. By streamlining these processes and partnering with flexible suppliers, businesses can maintain efficiency, meet customer needs and focus on growth while navigating this busy period.

Growing a Business

5 Effective Strategies to Boost Your Business's Online Presence

Boosting your online presence in 2025 is the key to success for businesses looking to grow. Working on your branding and reputation management is important to drive more sales and improve conversion.

Leadership

Why Your AI Strategy Will Fail Without the Right Talent in Place

Using fractional AI experts through specialized platforms allows companies to access top talent cost-effectively, drive innovation and scale agile strategies for growth.

Marketing

He Pitched His First Business at 12 and Sold a Company for 8 Figures When He Was 23. Here's This Gen Z Marketing Expert's Next Big Move.

Griffin Haddrill built a marketing empire working with artists like Justin Bieber and Lil Nas X. Learn how he tapped into Gen Z's digital culture and turned viral campaigns into a business model.