HONOLULU (KHON2) — Gov. Green announced a “historic settlement” Friday for those who filed claims in the Maui fires.
The seven defendants–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. 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,” Gov. Green said in a news release.
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. If the settlement is approved, payments are expected to start by mid-2025.
“Resolving this so quickly shows how Hawai‘i is different, how we come together in times of crisis to heal together as a community.”