Gov. Josh Green, M.D., announced Friday night that a historic $4 billion settlement has been reached to resolve all tort claims stemming from last year’s catastrophic wildfires that devastated Maui, a landmark Milestone progress.
The devastating fire on August 8, 2023 was directly related to the failure of the state’s primary utility provider during a severe storm.
At first, Hawaii Attorney General Anne E. Lopez decided not to make preliminary findings about Maui’s massive wildfires with the public.
The move is said to be “to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations,” according to a statement from the Justice Department. The decision raised concerns about the transparency of the investigation, as local residents questioned whether the “independent investigation” would indeed remain impartial.
Deadly wildfires were sparked by downed power lines, an investigation has revealed, a finding that directly challenges Democratic claims linking such disasters to climate change.
As fires raged across Maui earlier this month, people who drove around roadblocks blocking the only paved road to Lahaina survived, while those who obeyed orders died, according to the Associated Press. in the car, or escape to the nearby ocean.
Maui County government responded quickly by filing a lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric Co. and its subsidiaries, alleging they were negligent in failing to shut down power equipment during hazardous weather conditions.
The proposed settlement, which remains subject to final filings and court approval, involves seven defendants: the State of Hawaii, County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric Company, Kamehameha Schools, West Maui Land Company, Hawaiian Telecommunications Corporation and Spectrum/Charter Communications.
They collectively agreed to pay more than $4 billion to compensate approximately 2,200 affected parties who filed lawsuits after the August 2023 wildfires.
Read the press release below:
Today, Governor Josh Green, MD, announced a historic settlement to resolve all tort claims arising from the Maui wildfires. Less than a year after Maui’s devastating wildfires, seven defendants — the state of Hawaii, the County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric Co., Kamehameha Schools, West Maui Land Co., Hawaii Telecom and Spectrum /Charter Communications —Significant efforts were made to find a solution.
Under the proposed terms of the global settlement, which remains subject to final filings and court approval, the seven defendants will pay $4.037 billion to provide compensation to all persons with claims stemming from the August 8, 2023 storms and wildfires in Maui, including About 2,200 affected parties filed lawsuits. The state of Hawaii will contribute to the settlement in addition to a $65 million contribution to the One Ohana Fund.
Governor Greene highlighted the complexity and wide range of considerations in the negotiations, saying, “This more than $4 billion global settlement will help our people heal. As Governor, my top priority is to expedite an agreement and avoid a protracted and painful litigation so that as many resources as possible can flow to those affected by wildfires as quickly as possible. Resolving a problem like this in one year is unprecedented and our people do not have to wait to rebuild their lives like so many others in places suffering similar tragedies. , which would be a good thing.
After more than four months of mediation, the two parties reached a settlement agreement. In other states, civil cases involving deadly and destructive wildfires often take years to decide, according to attorneys familiar with wildfire litigation. The settlement resolves approximately 450 lawsuits filed in state and federal courts by individuals, businesses and insurance companies related to the Lahaina and Maui Interior fires.
“I would like to thank our expert mediators and parties to the settlement for their work in putting Hawaii’s recovery and recovery ahead of personal or other interests. In the coming weeks, we will provide detailed instructions on numbers and costs , and when resources will be available to survivors and their families. Overall, the total scope of the recovery, including past insurance claims, county, federal and state support, will be close to $12 billion,” Governor Green said.
Currently, the proposed settlement is an agreement in principle. The agreement was conditional on settling the property damage and other damages already paid by the insurance company, without additional payments by the defendants.
Once signed, the final settlement agreement will become effective subject to judicial review and approval. The State’s contribution to the settlement must be approved by the Hawaii State Legislature. Payments will begin upon approval and are expected to begin in mid-2025.
“In less than a year, many people have made an extraordinary and unprecedented effort to address the tragic impacts of wildfires,” Governor Greene continued. “Addressing this issue so quickly demonstrates the difference that makes Hawaiʻi different, and how we How to come together in times of crisis and heal together as a community.”
