Hawaii Gov. Josh Green announced “historic settlement” Friday for those who filed claims in the Maui fires.
The seven defendants — the state of Hawai‘i, County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, West Maui Land Co., Hawaiian Telcom and Spectrum/Charter Communications — will pay $4.037 billion in compensation.
The settlement agreement is subject to final documentation and court approval and is conditional on the resolution of already paid insurance claims. The legislature must approve the stateʻs contribution to the settlement as well.
“This Global Settlement of over $4 billion will help our people heal. 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,” Gov. Green said in a news release. “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.”
“We want to thank Governor Green for his hard work in making this happen for the people of Maui,” said Aaron Creps, attorney for victims. “It really is unprecedented for a disaster of this scope to be resolved so quickly.”
Attorney Jesse Creed, of Panish, Shea, Ravipudi, LLP, who is a co-liaison counsel in the case, said the settlement will give fair justice to those affected and will allow them to rebuild their lives.
“But the fight goes on against the greedy insurance companies. They did not agree to this global settlement and are trying to take money back from the victims who paid their premiums and send it off-island to pad their profits. The insurance companies shouldn’t take a penny as long as the victims are not fully compensated,” Creed told KTLA sister station KHON2.
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FILE – The aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, is viewed Aug. 17, 2023. The mayor of Maui County wants to stop owners of thousands of vacation rentals from renting to visitors. Instead, he wants the units rented long-term to people who live on Maui to address a chronic housing shortage that intensified after last August’s deadly wildfire. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) -
FILE – A general view shows the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. A University of Hawaii study examining the health effects of last year’s deadly wildfires on Maui found that up to 74% of participants may have difficulty breathing and otherwise have poor respiratory health, and almost half showed signs of compromised lung function. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) -
FILE – A general view shows the aftermath of a devastating wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. Hawaii health officials say test results show no evidence of widespread lead exposure from last summer’s Maui wildfires. Blood samples were taken from more than 500 people to screen for lead after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century fire ripped through the town of Lahaina, killing 101 people. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) -
FILE – A general view shows the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. The wildfires devastated parts of the Hawaiian island of Maui earlier this month. Maui County is suing major cellular carriers for failing to properly inform police of widespread service outages during the height of last summer’s deadly wildfire. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) -
FILE – Wilted palm trees line a destroyed property, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The nonprofit Entertainment Industry Foundation says the People’s Fund of Maui, which was started by Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson to benefit survivors of the wildfires last summer, has given away almost $60 million over six months to 8,100 adults. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File) -
The hall of historic Waiola Church in Lahaina and nearby Lahaina Hongwanji Mission are engulfed in flames along Wainee Street, Aug. 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP, File) -
FILE – Wildfire wreckage is seen Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. Hawaii’s top public utility officials and the president of Hawaiian Electric are expected to testify Thursday, Sept. 28, in a congressional hearing about the role the electrical grid played in last month’s deadly Maui wildfire. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) -
Leola Vierra walks through the remains of her home for the first time, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The Vierras are among the couple dozen residents who are able to return to their property in Zone 1-C following August’s deadly wildfire. Authorities in Maui strongly encouraged homeowners to wear protective gear provided by nonprofit groups when visiting their properties to protect against asbestos, lead and other toxic remains of the wildfire. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)
Approximately 450 lawsuits were filed by individuals, businesses and insurance companies in state and federal courts; the settlement was reached after more than four months of mediation.
“It’s a great thing for all of our clients,” said Tony Takitani, an attorney for victims. “I think it’s a great thing for the people on the west side and for the people who aren’t here any more and who had to leave. I think the sooner we can do a settlement the better and faster chance we have of healing.”
Hawaiian Electric says it will contribute nearly $2 billion. In a statement, President and CEO Scott Seu said not only is this good for our community, but the settlement represents the best outcome for HEI.
“No amount of money is ever going to bring back the lives that were lost or restore the town that was destroyed,” said Creps. “But we do believe that it is the best deal.”
Kamehameha Schools said it is deeply committed to supporting the healing of families and aiding the restoration of the community. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said this settlement is critical to the survivor’s to move forward and heal.
The agreement is just the first step, attorneys say; one massive hurdle is the insurance companies wanting the $2 billion they say they’re owed from policies they paid out.
“We feel this in our bones that it’s so much more important to make the victims more whole as much as possible,” victim attorney Takitani stated.
The settlement is subject to court approval. And state legislature must also approve the money being paid by the state. Once that’s done, payments could start by the middle of next year.