Nation ‘Burned down to ashes’: Why devastated Lahaina Town is such a cherished place on Maui August 10, 2023August 10, 2023Claire Thornton, USA TODAYComments Off on ‘Burned down to ashes’: Why devastated Lahaina Town is such a cherished place on Maui Before Hawaii became a U.S. territory in the late 1800s, Lahaina was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The town is a beloved destination.