Hawaii Gov. Josh Green announced Friday a historic $4.037 billion settlement to resolve claims stemming from the tragic Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires that left more than 100 people dead, thousands more displaced, and homes and businesses destroyed.
The settlement comes just before the one-year anniversary of the tragedy. The seven defendants — the State of Hawaii, the County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, West Maui Land Co., Hawaiian Telcom and Spectrum/Charter Communications — “have worked diligently to find a solution that meets the needs and ensures the well-being of the plaintiffs, all affected individuals and their families,” according to a news release from Green’s office.
The lobby of the historic Waiola Church in Lahaina and the neighboring Lahaina Hongwanji Mission are engulfed in flames along Wainee Street on August 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii.
Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP
The settlement covers about 450 lawsuits filed by individuals, businesses and insurance companies in state and federal courts related to the Lahaina and Upcountry fires on the island of Maui.
The settlement agreement remains subject to final documentation and court approval, according to Green’s office.
For now, the governor’s office says the agreement is conditional on resolving insurance company claims that have already been paid for losses and damages, with no additional payments from some defendants. Once a final settlement agreement is signed and approved after judicial and legislative review, payments are expected to begin as early as mid-2025.
An aerial image taken on August 10, 2023 shows homes and buildings destroyed by fire in Lahaina following wildfires in West Maui, Hawaii.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
“My priority as governor was to expedite the settlement and avoid lengthy and painful litigation so that as many resources as possible could flow to those affected by the wildfires as quickly as possible,” Green said in a statement released Friday. “Resolving a case like this in one year is unprecedented, and it will be good that our people will not have to wait as long to rebuild their lives as others have in many places that have suffered similar tragedies.”
As the community prepares to mourn those lost a year later, the community is also still in the midst of rebuilding, with building permits recently issued, debris removal underway and some families still displaced.
The destruction caused by the wildfires forced local Maui officials and residents to confront a series of problems that plagued the community.
The impact of tourism, climate change, lack of affordable housing and many other factors have become focal points in the community’s recovery efforts.
