HONOLULU (KHON2) -- For the first time since August we are getting a look into the fire devastation zone in Lahaina. But some areas are no longer showing devastation but rebuilding and renewal.
During a tour of Front Street and Lahaina town given by Maui County officials, progress was apparent with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers saying that the clean up is well ahead of schedule with 92% of residential lots cleared.
Maui County said from the beginning that they would prioritize residential areas so residents could begin rebuilding and moving home.
Thirty-one percent of commercial properties have been cleared, according to USACE.
The banyan tree, which was completely charred in the fire, has survived.
Arborists were skeptical that the tree would survive and indeed part of it did not survive but today it is green and continues its path to recovery.