About the Maui Wildfire Settlement
The August 2023 Maui wildfires changed the lives of thousands across Lahaina, Kula, and Olinda. Now, a $135 million class action settlement offers a path forward for some who lost homes, businesses, and loved ones.
This settlement is part of a larger $4.037 billion global settlement that addresses Hawaiian Electric's alleged failure to de-energize power lines during extreme weather conditions, which, according to plaintiffs, sparked the catastrophic fires.
Power Line Fire Allegations
The lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric centers on specific failures that allegedly led to the August 8, 2023 disaster.
According to court documents, Hawaiian Electric neglected to de-energize its power lines despite purportedly receiving high wind warnings from the National Weather Service that predicted gusts up to 60 miles per hour.
Poor infrastructure claims
Plaintiffs also claim that Hawaiian Electric operated approximately 60,000 outdated wooden power poles across Maui, many of which were supposedly compliant with standards from the 1960s.
These poles allegedly could not withstand the predicted wind speeds, and according to the class action lawsuit, Hawaiian Electric was aware of this.
Faulty power line installation
Hawaiian Electric also allegedly used uninsulated power lines throughout much of its system that created perfect ignition sources when these bare wires contacted dry vegetation.
Dry shrub management
The lawsuit further claims that the company's inadequate vegetation management program left combustible material too close to power lines, creating what fire experts called a "ladder fuel" situation, where fires could quickly spread from ground level into tree canopies, according to plaintiffs.
Finally, as perhaps most damaging to Hawaiian Electric's defense, video evidence allegedly showed the company re-energized broken power lines after the initial morning fire, potentially sparking the afternoon blaze that destroyed much of Lahaina.
This decision, along with other evidence, presented the central pillar of negligence claims in the lawsuit.
Maui Fire Victim Statistics
The August 8, 2023 disaster affected many residents and businesses on the islands:
- Over 100 people lost their lives
- 2,170 acres burned across three communities
- 2,207 structures destroyed or damaged
- Total damages exceeding $5.5 billion
Families also lost generational homes, businesses, and commercial property vanished in hours, and the historic town of Lahaina nearly disappeared in flames.
Who May Be Eligible to File a Claim?
This settlement encompasses a broad range of potential claimants.
Property owners and residents
Hawaiian property owners and residents may participate in the settlement if they owned, rented, or resided on property within the fire perimeters or within 0.5 miles of those perimeters on August 8, 2023.
This broad definition recognizes that fire damage extends beyond direct flame contact. Smoke damage, heat damage, and ember damage are all considered compensable losses under the settlement.
Real property damage can include:
- Primary residences and vacation homes
- Commercial buildings and rental properties
- Land improvements like pools, fencing, and landscaping
- Detached structures, including garages and sheds
Personal property losses typically cover everything inside the home or on the property. From family heirlooms to everyday household items, if the fires destroyed them, victims may be able to claim them.
Business owners & workers
The settlement also acknowledges that the wildfires had a severe impact on West Maui's economy, which is primarily driven by tourism.
Business owners and employees working within the affected areas between August 8 and October 8, 2023, may file multiple claims according to the settlement agreement.
Business interruption claims may address lost profits. Businesses without physical damage may be eligible to claim tourist cancellation losses or losses due to supply chain disruptions. Workers who lost wages because their employers closed or reduced hours may also participate in this settlement.
People present during fires
The 90-page settlement agreement acknowledges the possible emotional distress and expenses associated with fleeing an approaching wildfire.
It allows anyone present within 5 miles of the fire perimeters during the active fire period to seek qualification for evacuation-related claims.
This category also extends to immediate family members of those present, recognizing that entire families often bear the emotional and financial burden of evacuation.
Physical injury and death claims
The settlement provides possible compensation for:
- Fire-related injuries requiring medical treatment.
- Wrongful death claims for families who lost loved ones.
- Psychological trauma requiring professional treatment.
Eligible relatives include surviving spouses, children, parents, and other dependents. The settlement employs a broad definition of "eligible relative" to ensure that those who depended on the victims could participate in the claims process.
Travel and tourism
People who had Maui trips planned when the fires struck, purchased tickets for travel between August 8 and October 8, 2023, or suffered unreimbursed losses from cancellations or delays may file a claim.
This class includes individuals with non-refundable hotel bookings and activity reservations.
Settlement Structure and Claim Types
Real Property claims
Settlement administrators will use diminution in value or reasonable repair cost calculations to indemnify eligible claims for real property. Additional living expenses during displacement can also qualify for reimbursement.
Required documentation includes:
- Deed or lease proving ownership/residency.
- Insurance policies and claim correspondence.
- Property tax assessments showing pre-fire value.
- Contractor estimates for repairs or rebuilding.
- Receipts for temporary housing and related expenses.
Personal property claims
The settlement values personal property at Actual Cash Value (ACV), which is the replacement cost minus depreciation. While this remedy may not fully cover the cost of purchasing new items, it provides standardized compensation across all claims.
Essential documentation:
- Detailed inventory of lost items
- Purchase receipts when available
- Photos showing items in your home
- Insurance personal property claims
- Appraisals for valuable items
Business interruption and income loss
Business claims require showing lost profits through comparison with previous years' performance. The settlement aims to cover the difference between projected and actual income during the affected period.
Key documents needed:
- Business licenses and tax ID verification
- Profit/loss statements from 2022 to present
- Sales records showing year-over-year comparisons
- Payroll records documenting reduced wages
- Bank statements showing revenue decline
For workers claiming lost wages, provide:
- Recent pay stubs before the fires
- Employer letter confirming reduced hours/closure
- W-2s or 1099s showing typical earnings
- Documentation of job search efforts if permanently laid off
Evacuation claims
Standard evacuation claims cover reasonable expenses for temporary shelter, food, transportation, and other necessities. However, those who evacuated during specific high-danger windows may qualify for enhanced "serious evacuation" compensation:
Serious Evacuation Time Windows:
- Lahaina: 6:30 AM August 8 to 9:00 AM August 9
- Kula: 11:20 AM August 8 to 9:00 AM August 9
- Olinda: 10:45 PM August 7 to 9:00 AM August 9
Documentation should include receipts for all evacuation expenses, photos/videos taken during evacuation, and social media posts or text messages showing your evacuation timeline.
Physical injury and wrongful death
These claims require coordination with the One Ohana Fund to prevent duplicate recovery. Medical expense claims need comprehensive documentation, including all treatment records, bills, and insurance explanations of benefits.
How to File Your Claim
Online Submission
The settlement website at MauiFiresClassSettlement.com offers one of the fastest and most secure methods for filing a claim.
The portal allows probable claimants to:
- Save progress and return later
- Upload documents directly
- Track claim status
- Receive instant confirmation
Mail Submission
Class members may also download PDF claim forms from the settlement website and send them to: Maui Fires Class Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 29699, Honolulu, HI 96820
Phone Assistance
A 24-hour automated system, accessible at 833-296-0890, handles basic claim questions. Live representatives are available to assist potential claimants with complex issues during business hours.
Settlement Administration Process
Initial Review Period
After receiving a claim, the administrator has 65 days to review and issue either approval or a deficiency notice. This timeline ensures prompt processing while allowing thorough verification of submitted information.
Reconsideration Process
If claimants disagree with the administrator's decision, they have 30 days to request reconsideration and explain how the administrator misapplied the settlement's criteria to their specific situation.
Fraud Prevention Measures
The settlement includes fraud detection systems that verify document authenticity, check for duplicate claims, and flag suspicious patterns.
Important Dates and Deadlines
- December 22, 2025: Final deadline to submit a claim.
- January 8, 2026: Final approval hearing.
- Mid-2025: Expected start of payment processing (after final court approval).
- 30 Days: Time to cure any deficiencies or request reconsideration after receiving notice.
Starting now gives time to gather documentation and address any deficiencies before the December deadline. Check out the lawsuit or find more details at MauiFiresClassSettlement.com.
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