Hawaiian Electric Maui Wildfires Settlement: $135M

The settlement covers a broad range of people impacted by the August 8, 2023 Maui wildfires. Eligible groups include:

• Individuals who owned, rented, or lived on property within or near the fire perimeters.
• Businesses and employees located in or within half a mile of the fire zones between August and October 2023.
• People present in the affected areas during or immediately after the fires.
• Residents or visitors who were physically injured, displaced, or whose relatives were killed.
• Travelers who had confirmed plans to visit Maui that were canceled or delayed due to the fires.
• Property owners who suffered damage or destruction of real or personal property.
• Business owners who lost income due to reduced tourism following the disaster.

Claimants will need to provide documents that demonstrate their losses. Examples include insurance claims, receipts, tax returns, pay stubs, medical or police records, or other official documentation tying losses to the wildfire events.

Hawaiian Electric has agreed to create a $135 million Class Settlement Fund as part of a larger $4.037 billion global settlement tied to the devastating Maui wildfires of August 2023. The fires destroyed much of Lahaina and damaged surrounding areas, leaving thousands of residents and businesses with catastrophic losses.

According to the lawsuit, Hawaiian Electric’s equipment and operations may have contributed to the ignition or spread of the fires. Plaintiffs alleged that the utility company failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the disaster, such as shutting off power during high-risk conditions. Hawaiian Electric has denied wrongdoing but chose to settle to avoid prolonged litigation and provide relief to victims.

The settlement fund is intended to compensate a wide range of losses, from destroyed homes and businesses to canceled travel plans and personal injuries. Payments may be distributed over several years and are designed to address both economic and noneconomic damages.

What Class Members Can Receive

Individuals and businesses who qualify can receive monetary compensation for a variety of damages. Covered categories include:

• Loss of real estate or personal property.
• Business losses and interruptions, including reduced tourism-related revenue.
• Evacuation expenses and displacement costs.
• Lost wages or personal income due to the disaster.
• Physical injuries or wrongful death.
• Travel-related costs tied to canceled or delayed trips to Maui.

Exact payment amounts will depend on the nature of the loss, documentation provided, and the total number of claims filed. The court may also allow for payments to be made in installments over several years.