Green announces $4 billion settlement to resolve Maui wildfire lawsuits
Gov. Josh Green today announced “a historic” $4 billion settlement to resolve more than 400 lawsuits filed after last year’s deadly Maui wildfires.
The seven defendants — the state, Maui County, Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, West Maui Land Co., Hawaiian Telcom and Spectrum/Charter Communications — will pay $4.037 billion to provide compensation to all those who have brought claims for compensation arising from the Aug. 8, 2023, windstorms and wildfires on Maui, including the approximately 2,200 affected parties who filed lawsuits, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
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The press release didn’t state how much each of the defendants would pay, but a statement this afternoon from Hawaiian Electric said its contribution would be $1.99 billion.
The settlement agreement remains subject to final documentation and court approval.
The state would contribute to the settlement in addition to its $65 million contribution to the One ʻOhana Fund.
“This global settlement of over $4 billion will help our people heal,” Green said in the press release. “My priority as governor was to expedite the agreement and to avoid protracted and painful lawsuits so as many resources as possible would go to those affected by the wildfires as quickly as possible.
“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.”
The settlement agreement was reached after more than four months of mediation.
The settlement resolves the approximately 450 lawsuits filed by individuals, businesses, and insurance companies in state and federal courts for fires in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui.
“In the coming weeks, we’ll provide a detailed account of the numbers and costs and when resources will become available to survivors and their families,” Green said in the press release. “Overall, the total scope of the recovery, which includes past insurance claims, county, federal and state support, will approach $12 billion.”
Currently, the proposed settlement is an agreement in principle. The agreement is conditional on the resolution of the insurance companies’ claims that have already been paid for property loss and other damages, with no additional payments from the defendants, according to the press release.
Once a final settlement agreement is signed, it will take effect following judicial review and approval.
The contribution to the settlement from the state must be approved by the Legislature. The payments would begin after such approval and are expected to start by mid-2025.
