The Lahaina, Hawaii, wildfires on August 8, 2023, resulted in a devastating loss of life but also caused significant property damage, including to buildings and sites that conveyed the historical significance of the community. On August 10, 2023, President Biden determined that the damage from the wildfires was of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, (42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq.). Since then, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal agency partners have been working to respond to the needs of residents while also providing necessary services, including installation of temporary housing and removal of debris and hazardous materials.

However, during the transition from response to recovery, FEMA raised questions regarding the boundaries of the National Historic Landmark District and what buildings and sites contribute to its significance. Further questions were raised about whether the district had achieved additional significance in the years since its designation as an NHL and how to account for potential effects to the elements of historic integrity related to such expanded significance. In addition, the original NHL designation lacked the perspectives of Native Hawaiian organizations (NHOs).

In June 2024, to better address questions about the district’s boundaries and period of significance, the ACHP requested the Secretary of the Interior’s views under Section 213 of the National Historic Preservation Act, 54 U.S.C. § 304110. A Section 213 report also provided an opportunity to explicitly incorporate NHO input into a revised statement of significance.

The NPS submitted the Section 213 report to the ACHP in November 2024.