HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Boater David Jung has been running whale watching tours out of Lahaina Harbor for more than 50 years, and he says he’s one of the first ones to do so.

After the 2023 wildfires severely damaged the historic harbor and leveled much of Lahaina, Jung moved his firm, the Hawaii Ocean Project, to Waikiki.

Now, more than two years later, Jung is anxiously awaiting his company’s return to West Maui waters in a week.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Jung, who is one of four operators selected by the state and county to resume tours out of Lahaina Harbor starting on Dec. 15.

“I’m one of the oldest (operators),” the 74-year-old added.

Rebuilding after devastation

Since starting at Lahaina Harbor in the late 1960s, Jung built a group with about 45 employees.

After

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