Thousands of victims of the catastrophic Maui wildfires of 2023 will receive a $4 billion settlement, it was announced on Friday night.
The settlement will resolve all tort claims against seven different parties— the state of Hawai‘i, County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, West Maui Land Co., Hawaiian Telcom, and Spectrum/Charter Communications—for their role in the death and destruction caused by the wildfires on August 8 2023. Over 2,200 claims will be settled.
Although the fires were initially blamed on climate change, including by Hawaii Governor Josh Green and White House “energy czar” John Podesta, investigations revealed critical failings by the state’s main utility provider, and that the cause was fallen power lines.
As a result, the government of Maui County filed a lawsuit against the Hawaii Electric Company and its subsidiaries alleging failure to maintain their system and power grid, as well as neglecting their duty to “properly maintain and repair the electric transmission lines, and other equipment including utility poles associated with their transmission of electricity, and to keep vegetation properly trimmed and maintained so as to prevent contact with overhead power lines and other electric equipment.”
A press release was issued to announce the settlement, which remains subject to final documentation and court approval.
“Today, Governor Josh Green, M.D., announced a historic settlement to resolve all tort claims arising from the Maui wildfires,” the release says.
“Less than a year after devastating wildfires on Maui, the seven defendants – state of Hawai‘i, County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, West Maui Land Co., Hawaiian Telcom and Spectrum/Charter Communications – undertook significant efforts to find a resolution that addresses the needs and ensures the well-being of plaintiffs, all affected individuals, and their families.
“Under the proposed terms of the global settlement agreement, which remains subject to final documentation and court approval, the seven defendants will pay $4.037 billion to provide compensation to all those who have brought claims for compensation arising from the Aug. 8, 2023 windstorms and wildfires on Maui, including the approximately 2,200 affected parties who filed lawsuits. The state of Hawaiʻi would contribute to the settlement in addition to its $65 million contribution to the One ʻOhana Fund.”
In addition to the failures of the state and utility companies that helped cause the fires, the tragedy on Maui was made yet worse by confusion and obstacles that prevented residents from fleeing. Terrified residents found exit routes blocked by barricades. Those who simply waited in their cars were engulfed by the flames.
“One family swerved around the barricade and was safe in a nearby town 48 minutes later, another drove their four-wheel-drive car down a dirt road to escape,” reported the Associated Press.
“One man took a dirt road uphill, climbing above the fire and watching as Lahaina burned. He later picked his way through the flames, smoke and rubble to pull survivors to safety.
“But dozens of others found themselves caught in a hellscape, their cars jammed together on a narrow road, surrounded by flames on three sides and the rocky ocean waves on the fourth. Some died in their cars, while others tried to run for safety.”
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