Hawaiian Electric to pay $2 billion for Maui wildfire

Hawaiian Electric and six other defendants agreed to pay a total of about $4 billion to settle cases related to the devastating Maui wildfire last year, according to Gov. Josh Green. Hawaiian Electric will pay nearly half of the total settlement, which includes the $75 million already given to the fund for fire victims and their families, according to the utility company. About 2,200 businesses and homeowners filed claims against Hawaiian Electric Industries, the State of Hawaii, the County of Maui, Kamehameha Schools, West Maui Land Co., Hawaiian Telcom, and Spectrum/Charter Communications. A downed power line sparked a brush fire on the morning of Aug. 8, 2023, according to a statement by Hawaiian Electric. That fire was quickly extinguished. However, the company maintains that its power lines had been de-energized for more than six hours when a second blaze erupted that afternoon and spread into the worst wildfire in state history. About 100 people died in the fire and over 2,000 homes and businesses burned to the ground.

Does this mean Hawaiian Electric is admitting fault? The settlement does not include any admission of liability, according to the company statement. The settlement will bring greater certainty and financial stability to Hawaiian Electric, according to a company statement. Hawaiian Electric is committing to support the community of Lahaina for as long as it takes, said CEO Shelee Kimura. Settlement payments are expected to begin in 2025 and the government will provide more details on resources and costs available to survivors and their families, Green said. The total cost of recovery is expected to approach around $12 billion, including past insurance claims along with federal and state support, he added.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report on the government’s investigation into the fires.