One year after the wildfires burned through Lahaina and Upcountry Maui, a settlement has been reached. Photo: GoFundMe
A settlement worth $4.037 billion has been announced to at least partially resolve some of the issues facing the victims of the devastating Maui wildfire.
It was announced by Hawaii Governor Josh Green on Friday. The wildfires, which killed more than 100 people, razed homes and businesses, and displaced thousands, raced through Maui’s Lahaina and Upcountry in August, 2023.
The defendants in the suit were the State of Hawai’i, County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, West Maui Land Co., Hawaiian Telcom, and Spectrum/Charter Communications. According the press release, they “undertook significant efforts to find a resolution that addresses the needs and ensures the well-being of plaintiffs, all affected individuals, and their families.”
The settlement came in response to around 450 lawsuits from individuals, businesses, and insurance companies. While it is still awaiting final documentation and court approval at the time of this writing, it’s unlikely that the settlement will change. Payments are likely to begin sometime in 2025.
The governor’s office said that the settlement 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.”
Governor Green said that his prime concern was to make things as easy as possible as quickly as possible for those affected.
“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,” said Green in a Friday statement. “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.”
As the one-year anniversary of the fires approaches, the tight-knit community is still in a state of upheaval. Rebuilding has started, permits are being issued, and the cleanup efforts are still ongoing.
“In light of the recent settlement, the County will continue working with wildfire victims and their representatives to provide services and resources throughout the recovery period,” the County of Maui said in a press release Friday evening.
