Hawaiian Electric Maui Wildfire Claims: What Survivors Need to Know

The latest development in the legal fallout from the August 2023 Maui wildfires has placed renewed urgency on survivors, homeowners, businesses, and families affected by the disaster.

A $135 million class action settlement connected to the fires is nearing its final stages, and the claim submission deadline of December 22, 2025, is now approaching. This settlement is part of a larger $4.037 billion global agreement involving the Hawaiian Electric Company, the island’s main utility, and several additional defendants. 

With the deadline approaching, potential claimants seeking compensation for property loss, power line fire lawsuit damages, personal injury fire claims, and business interruption claims are being urged to review their eligibility and begin the filing process.

As communities across Maui continue rebuilding after the devastation, the Hawaiian Electric lawsuit marks one of the most significant legal responses to the wildfires—and one that may provide financial assistance to thousands who suffered losses.

Background: The August 2023 Disaster in Maui and Resulting Litigation

The Hawaiian Electric Maui wildfires that tore through Lahaina, Kula, and Olinda on August 8, 2023, have become collectively known as one of the deadliest and most destructive wildfire events in U.S. history. Entire neighborhoods were razed, local businesses collapsed under prolonged shutdowns, and many families lost homes, possessions, and, in many cases, loved ones. 

In the months that followed, hundreds of lawsuits were filed alleging that failures by the utility contributed to ignition points and allowed wind-driven fire to spread rapidly. This wave of litigation intensified public scrutiny of questions surrounding Hawaiian Electric's liability.

Among these lawsuits was Burnes et al. v. Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., filed in November 2023 and later reassigned in the fall of 2024 as the courts consolidated related claims. The lawsuits were part of an effort to create a unified process for resolving the wave of litigation connected to the disaster.

Although the defendants, including Hawaiian Electric and its parent entities, deny all wrongdoing, the scale of the losses led to negotiations that resulted in a historic global settlement designed to compensate individuals and businesses across multiple categories of harm.

How the $135 Million Class Action Settlement Fits Into the Global Agreement

The $135 million fund is specifically earmarked for individuals who fall within the defined class and who choose not to pursue separate claims through the individual settlement fund.

The global settlement includes an extensive list of involved parties, such as:

• The State of Hawaii
• The County of Maui
• Hawaiian Electric entities
• Kamehameha Schools
• Spectrum
• West Maui Land Company
• Hawaiian Telcom

While the total settlement exceeds $4 billion—including programs established to support disaster victims such as the Lahaina disaster fund—the $135 million class fund is the portion available to eligible class members who were impacted but were not independently represented by private attorneys in wildfire litigation.

For many residents, particularly those without complex losses, the class settlement may provide a simpler path to obtaining Maui wildfire compensation.

What the Class Action Covers

The settlement was designed to deliver fair fire victim restitution without the burden of lengthy litigation. This class action focuses on a wide range of wildfire-related losses without requiring claimants to prove individual fault or utility negligence claims. Instead, payments are based on court-approved formulas designed to fairly distribute compensation among eligible victims.

More importantly, the settlement does not assign liability to any of the defendants. No court has concluded that Hawaiian Electric or other parties caused the fires. This settlement is a negotiated resolution that avoids the need for prolonged trials.

Eligibility: Who Can File a Claim?

According to the official web page for the settlement, the agreement defines several major categories of individuals who may qualify. Eligible claimants include:

• Residents, renters, and homeowners: Those who lived, rented, or owned property within the wildfire perimeters, or within 0.5 miles of those boundaries, on August 8, 2023
• Business owners and workers: Individuals operating or employed by businesses within the affected regions between August 8, 2023, and October 8, 2023
• People present within a five-mile radius: Anyone who was located within five miles of the wildfire zones during the outbreak
• Injured individuals: People who experienced physical injuries or psychological distress, as well as their eligible relatives
• Families of deceased victims: Representatives or families of individuals who tragically lost their lives
• Immediate family members of those present in fire areas: Including spouses, parents, and dependents
• Travelers with prepaid trips: Visitors who incurred nonrefundable losses due to cancellations
• Candidates of property damage claims: Those facing partial or total destruction of real or personal property
• Businesses affected by tourism decline: Even companies outside strict burn zones may qualify if tourism-connected revenue was disrupted

How Much Compensation Can Victims Expect?

Exact payment amounts have not been released. Compensation will depend on:

• The number of qualifying claims
• Property loss claims’ categories selected
• Submitted documentation
• The court-approved allocation plan

Key Dates Claimants Must Know

Here are the most important upcoming deadlines:

• Opt-out deadline – October 7, 2025: Those choosing to pursue compensation elsewhere, such as through the individual settlement fund, must formally opt out.
• Claim submission deadline – December 22, 2025: This is the final day to submit documents for the utility wildfire settlement.
• Final approval hearing – January 8, 2026: The court will decide whether to give final approval to the settlement.

Failing to take action means you will not receive compensation, and you will still be bound by the wildfire settlement’s terms.

How to File a Claim

Claimants can file online or by mail, but all submissions must include the required documentation. Depending on the claim type, required documents may include:

• Insurance claims or payouts
• Proof of residence or property ownership
• Business financial records
• Medical records for personal injury fire claims
• Travel itineraries or receipts
• Photographs, videos, or damage assessments

Claimants may submit multiple categories, such as property loss plus evacuation expenses.

Submitting Objections or Attending the Final Hearing

Class members who wish to remain part of the Maui fire settlement do not need to take any action to stay included. However, they must submit a claim by the deadline if they want to receive any compensation from the class settlement fund. Those who oppose it may file objections following specific court rules. Objections can address fairness, the structure of the settlement, attorney fees, or procedures.

The January 8, 2026, hearing will likely consider these matters before final approval is granted.

A Critical Deadline Approaches for Maui Wildfire Survivors

While affected communities work to rebuild and recover, this $135 million class action settlement may provide an essential financial resource for thousands of individuals and businesses. With deadlines approaching, potential claimants should review eligibility, prepare documentation, and decide whether to file, object, or opt out.