MAUI COUNTY, Hawaii — Wild fires continue to take a toll across the country. Earlier this week a brush fire consumed the shops of the Lahaina, Kaanapali & Pacific Railroad — the Sugar Cane Train — near Kaanapali. Lost in the fire were two steam locomotives and numerous passenger cars. A diesel locomotive was also damaged.
The fire consumed approximately 90 acres, according to statements from the county. Local roads were closed during the fire fighting effort and an evacuation was ordered for some Kaanapali residents.
The Sugar Cane Train, running on 6 miles of 3-foot-gauge track, was once part of a 200 mile rail network that carried harvested cane to the Pioneer Mill in Lahaina. Trucks replaced trains for cane hauling by the 1950s, with the line becoming a tourist operation in 1969.
Since 2019, the railroad has been dormant with its last operations being holiday trains during November and December 2018. Regular operations ceased in 2014, followed by various unsuccessful revival attempts over the next several years. The rolling stock and locomotives were put up for sale in July 2021.
Lost in this week’s fire were locomotives No. 1 Anaka and No. 3 Myrtle. Both were 2-4-0s built by H.K. Porter of Pittsburgh in February 1943 for the Carbon Limestone Co. Both locomotives had been heavily modified over the years. No. 1 was originally delivered as an 0-4-0 tank engine. The LK&P completed the conversion to a 2-4-0.
In August 2023 another portion of the railroad was destroyed by wildfire. The Lahaina Fire consumed the Lahania station, turntable and eastern half of the line. The shops, destroyed in this week’s blaze, are located north of the area impacted by the Lahania Fire.
What a shame. Saw the holiday train in 2018. Always thought the ROW would be useful for a light rail line from airport to Kaanapali resort area.