Lahaina wildfires settlement overview:
- Who: The state of Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Charter Communications and others agreed to pay a combined $4 billion to resolve claims filed following a deadly Maui wildfire in August 2023.
- Why: The settlement ends roughly 450 lawsuits filed by individuals, businesses, and insurance companies in the wake of the fire, which caused more than 100 deaths and destroyed the town of Lahaina.
- Where: The agreement ends claims filed in federal and state courts.
The state of Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric and Charter Communications agreed to pay $4 billion to resolve hundreds of complaints filed in the wake of a deadly Maui wildfire last August that killed more than 100 people and destroyed the town of Lahaina.
The settlement, announced by Hawaii Gov. Josh Green earlier this month, will compensate all who brought a claim in the wake of an Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire, including individuals, businesses, and insurance companies.
“This Global Settlement of over $4 billion will help our people heal,” Green said, adding his priority was to “expedite” the agreement and avoid “protracted and painful lawsuits” so as many resources as possible could go to those affected by the wildfire.
“Settling a matter like this within a year is unprecedented, and it will be good that our people don’t have to wait to rebuild their lives as long as others have in many places that have suffered similar tragedies,” Green said.
The County of Maui, Kamehameha Schools, West Maui Land Co. and Hawaiian Telcom will also be contributing to the settlement, according to Green, who said the agreement ends roughly 450 lawsuits encompassing approximately 2,200 affected parties.
Hawaii governor says agreement thanks to ‘extraordinary’ effort
Green said the agreement was reached after more than four months of mediation and is still subject to final court approval. If approved, payments are expected to start by mid-2025, the governor said.
“This was an extraordinary and unprecedented effort by many people to address the tragic impacts of the wildfires in less than a year,” Green said.
The total amount of compensation will ultimately approach $12 billion, according to Green, who said the recovery will include past insurance claims along with county, federal and state support.
Following the wildfires, Hawaiian Electric CEO Shelee Kimura informed the House Energy and Commerce Committee last October that an investigation into what started the Lahaina wildfire could take as many as 18 months to complete.
Hawaiian Electric, the largest utility in Hawaii, was accused of being responsible for starting the wildfires by way of downed power lines. No official cause has been given, as of Aug. 9, 2024.
Were you affected by the deadly Lahaina wildfire in Maui, Hawaii? Let us know in the comments.
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