Hawaii Announces $4.037 Billion Wildfire Settlement

Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced a tentative $4.037 billion settlement to resolve claims from the devastating August 2023 wildfires in Maui. This historic settlement, which still requires court approval, aims to compensate approximately 2,200 affected parties, including homeowners, businesses, and insurance companies. The settlement involves seven defendants, including the state of Hawaii, Maui County, Hawaiian Electric, and several other entities, with Hawaiian Electric contributing $1.99 billion. The wildfires, considered the deadliest in modern American history, killed over 100 people and caused damages estimated between $5 to $6 billion. Governor Green emphasized the urgency and unprecedented speed of reaching this agreement to help the victims rebuild their lives. Payments are expected to start by mid-2025, pending resolution of outstanding insurance claims.