West Maui Sports & Fishing Supply is back in Lahaina, and for a lot of locals it feels less like a grand reopening and more like a long‑awaited homecoming. Nearly three years after the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires destroyed its Old Lahaina Center storefront, the family-owned outfitter has set up a new shop beside the Lahaina Cannery, celebrating with a blessing, live music and a community "morning cast" that drew in local fishermen and longtime customers.
Back Where It Belongs
Owners Lopaka and Katie Wilson lost their Wainee Street shop in the Aug. 8, 2023 fire. Now their new storefront sits just mauka of the cannery, and they say it finally feels like they are where they are supposed to be.
"It feels amazing. It feels like we're back home and it's just so nice seeing everyone and being able to interact with everyone," Lopaka said. As reported by Hawaii News Now, the reopening marks a major business milestone and an emotional reset for both the owners and the people who have been shopping and talking story there for years.
Grand Opening And A Big Morning Cast
The grand opening on June 27 kicked off early at Māla Wharf with a community Morning Cast, followed by a 10 a.m. blessing and a full day of music, prizes and family-friendly activities. Hundreds of friends, family members and customers turned out, filling the new shop and spilling into the parking lot outside.
Maui Now noted that the scene felt more like a reunion than a retail promotion, underscoring how the shop has long served as a gathering place as much as a place to grab bait and gear.
From Pop-Ups To A New Flagship
The Wilsons bought West Maui Sports & Fishing Supply in 2022, about 18 months before the wildfire, according to Pacific Business News. When the fire took out their Lahaina shop, they pivoted fast, setting up pop-ups and running a temporary location at Kaʻanapali Shores so they could keep their staff working while they plotted a return home.
The grind did not go unnoticed. In 2024 the couple received the Mayor’s Small Business Award for Exceptional Small Business of the Year, as reported by Maui News.
Community Ties Did Not Skip A Beat
Even without a permanent storefront, the Wilsons kept their community work rolling. They hosted "Take a Kid Fishing" events and organized pop-up fundraisers to keep local families connected to the ocean and to each other during a brutal stretch for Lahaina.
At the new shop, they say that outreach will continue through a Giving Tree Project aimed at helping families stay engaged in ocean activities. Those efforts, and the couple’s broader community work, were highlighted by Hawaii News Now.
What’s Next
The new Lahaina storefront is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Wilsons plan to keep doing what regulars count on them for: gear, rentals and plenty of local knowledge for both residents and visitors. They will also continue operating their Kaʻanapali Shores location alongside the Lahaina flagship.
Business hours and contact details are listed on the website for West Maui Sports & Fishing Supply, where customers can check for updates or reach out directly.
