Governor says mainland parties delaying Maui fire settlement agreement

LAHAINA (KHON2) – A Lahaina wildfire settlement is close to being finalized, that is according to Governor Josh Green.

On Thursday, Bloomberg News, citing sources close to the settlement, reported Hawaiian Electric, County of Maui, State of Hawaii and Charter Communications have tentatively agreed to pay more than $4 billion dollars.

In a statement on Friday, Governor Josh Green said: “ The settlement hasn’t been finalized yet, but we are working on it 24/7 to reach a positive resolution in the very near future.

There are some parties on the mainland that are simply asking for too much of the settlement, resources that I insist must go to families who were devastated by the fire.

I will personally call them out by name next week if they hurt Hawai‘i’s people or further delay this agreement.”

“The most important thing is the victims are compensated, after that there are insurance claims and shareholders who expect some compensation,” explained Henry Curtis, Life of the Land Executive Director.

Life of the Land is on the Public Utilities Commission docket related to HECO and the fires.

Maui County documents show 451 lawsuits have been filed.

“We expected the final settlement to be between $4-and-$6 billion so that fit within what we were expecting, we also expected Hawaiian Electric not to have more than half of the total damages,” he added.

According to Bloomberg, HECO is looking at paying roughly $1.5 billion, which Curtis says wouldn’t be enough to bankrupt the utility and has sent stocks soaring.

“I think people are feeling if the utility does not have to go bankrupt then it’s a major advantage,” he said.

KHON2 asked if the ATF causation report shows HECO is liable for starting the fire, if they’ll be expected to pay out more.

“We would not be surprised if the county of Maui had a large share of the $4 billion,” Curtis said.

“You have to remember in 2018 there was a fire in the same spot and burned more land, and the town was saved only by the change in wind direction, so the county and state has enormous liability for not having dealt with that issue,” he added.

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To date, 47 families signed up for the One Ohana Fund to receive up to $1.5 million in exchange for not seeking legal liability against HECO, the state, county and other parties.

Maui’s corporation council anticipates an executive session with Maui county council may be necessary to discuss county liabilities.