Maui County files lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric alleging responsibility for deadly wildfires

Maui wildfires Hawaiian Electric lawsuit overview: 

• Who: Maui County filed a lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc. and Maui Electric Co. Ltd., among others. 
• Why: Maui claims Hawaiian Electric and others are responsible for deadly wildfires earlier this month that are confirmed to have killed more than 100 people and caused billions of dollars in damages to public property. 
• Where: The lawsuit was filed in the 2nd Circuit Court for the State of Hawaii. 
• How to find help: If you were injured by the Maui fires financially — through loss of wages, property loss or other means — or if you sustained pain, suffering or physical injuries, you may be eligible to join a free Maui fires lawsuit investigation.

Maui County, Hawaii, filed a lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric in the wake of deadly wildfires earlier this month that caused billions of dollars in damages to public property and led to the death of more than 100 people. 

Maui argues downed power lines amidst strong winds sparked the deadly blazes, according to the lawsuit. It also alleges Hawaiian Electric negligently failed to power down its equipment despite warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS). 

“Had Defendants heeded the NWS warnings and de-energized their powerlines during the predicted high-wind gusts, this destruction could have been avoided,” the Maui wildfires lawsuit states. 

Hawaiian Electric ignored red flag warning prior to deadly Maui wildfires, lawsuit claims

Maui claims the NWS issued a “fire weather watch” Aug. 6 prior to a red flag warning Aug. 7 that indicated an increased risk for fire danger due to Hurricane Dora’s heavy winds.

Maui argues that despite these alerts, Hawaiian Electric “inexcusably” decided to keep its power lines active, ultimately causing fires in the areas of Kula, Lahaina and Olinda after the lines fell to the ground and ignited brush and dry grass, according to the lawsuit.

“Defendants’ inactions caused loss of life, severe injuries, complete destruction of homes and businesses, displacement of thousands of people and damage to many of Hawai’i’s historic and cultural sites,” the Maui wildfires lawsuit states. 

Maui claims the defendants, including Hawaiian Electric, are guilty of trespass, ultrahazardous activity, nuisance, gross negligence and negligence. 

The county demands a jury trial and requests injunctive relief along with an award of general and/or special damages to compensate them for a slew of issues resulting from the deadly wildfires. 

Separately, three law firms filed a class action lawsuit earlier this month against Hawaiian Electric, arguing the company bore responsibility for the deadly blaze by allegedly choosing not to de-energize its power lines. 

Have you been impacted by the Maui wildfires? Let us know in the comments. 

Maui County is represented by Victoria J. Takayesu and Thomas Kolbe of Maui County’s Department of the Corporation Counsel; L. Richard Fried Jr., Wayne K. Kekina and Patrick F. McTernan of Cronin Fried Sekiya Kekina & Fairbanks; John P. Fiske, Victoria Sherlin and Taylor O’Neal of Baron & Budd PC; and Ed Diab and Robert J. Chambers II of Diab Chambers LLP.

The Maui wildfires Hawaiian Electric lawsuit is Maui v. Maui Electric Co. Ltd., et al., Case No. 2CCV-23-0000238, in the 2nd Circuit Court for the State of Hawaii.

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