You may be entitled to money because of the August 2023 Maui wildfires. A proposed total $4 billion settlement has
been reached with several companies and government groups who were accused of having some responsibility for the
fires in Lahaina, Kula, and Olinda. As part of this larger settlement, $135 million has been set aside to pay
eligible people who were affected. The companies deny any wrongdoing, and the Court has not decided who is right.
Who Is Included In The Class?
The Class includes nine categories of people affected by the Maui Fires. You may qualify if you fit one or more of
these categories:
owners, renters, or residents within the fire perimeters or 0.5 miles on August 8, 2023; people present within the
fire perimeters or within 5 miles between August 8, 2023 and 9:00 a.m. August 9, 2023; people who suffered
physical injury or are eligible relatives; representatives or eligible relatives of a person who died; immediate
family members of people present within the fire perimeters on August 8, 2023; people with certain nonrefunded
Maui travel losses between August 8 and October 8, 2023; people with property damage on Maui; and Maui businesses
with losses from a decline in tourism between August 8 and October 8, 2023.
How Much Can Individuals Receive in the Maui Fires Class Action?
Most of the $4.037 billion Global Settlement—about 97% or $3.9 billion—is reserved for individuals who file
personal claims. Payouts vary widely and are based on the extent of losses and documented damages. Those who lost
homes, suffered injuries, or experienced wrongful death may receive significant compensation, while smaller
verified losses will result in proportionally smaller awards.
A separate $135 million Class Settlement Fund (around 3% of the total) covers people with less severe or less
documented losses. Payments from this fund are distributed on a pro rata basis depending on the claim type and
proof submitted.
There is no fixed amount per person; the final payment depends on your claim category and supporting
documentation.
Who Are The Defendants?
State of Hawai‘i, County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric entities, The Trustees of the Estate of Bernice Pauahi
Bishop/Kamehameha Schools, Spectrum Oceanic, LLC, Hawaiian Telcom, Inc., and West Maui Land Company with certain
affiliates.
How Much Will The Class Settlement Fund Pay?
The $135 million Class Settlement Fund will pay valid claims, plus court approved fees, costs, service awards, and
administration. Payments to class members may be made in installments over four years or more. The individual
amount you may receive depends on the court approved allocation plan and the categories you claim.
How Do I Submit A Claim?
Class Members can submit claims online at www.MauiFiresClassSettlement.com or by mail using the paper claim form. Claims must be
submitted online by December 22, 2025 or postmarked by that date if mailed. You may file for any claim categories
you qualify for, including Real Property Loss, Personal Property Loss, Business Interruption, Personal Income
Loss, Evacuation, Physical Injury, Wrongful Death, Travel Claim, and Damage to Property on Maui.
What If I Already Hired A Lawyer?
If you hired a lawyer for your Maui Fires claims, speak to your lawyer about excluding yourself from the Class
Settlement Fund and seeking payment from the Individual Settlement Fund by executing an Individual Settlement
Agreement and Release before October 7, 2025. You cannot receive benefits from both funds.
Key Deadlines
Opt out deadline: October 7, 2025
Objection deadline: October 7, 2025
Claim deadline: December 22, 2025
Final Approval Hearing: January 8, 2026
Is This Part Of The $4.037 Billion Settlement?
Yes. The Class Settlement Fund is a $135 million portion of the $4.037 billion Global Settlement. The remainder
funds the Individual Settlement Fund for represented individuals who execute the required Individual Settlement
Agreement and Release.
What Is The Difference Between The Class Settlement Fund And The Individual Settlement
Fund?
The Class Settlement Fund is for eligible people who have not hired their own lawyer for Maui Fires claims. The
Individual Settlement Fund is for people represented by their own lawyer who execute the Individual Settlement
Agreement and Release by the opt out deadline. Benefits cannot be received from both.
If This Is The Smaller Fund, How Do I File In The Larger Settlement?
The larger portion of the Global Settlement is the Individual Settlement Fund. To participate, you must have your
own lawyer and execute the Individual Settlement Agreement and Release before October 7, 2025. Contact your
attorney immediately to proceed. Do not submit a Class Settlement claim if you will participate in the Individual
Settlement Fund.
How Is The $4.037 Billion Global Settlement Structured?
The Global Settlement combines many lawsuits and allocates funds into two tracks: the $135 million Class
Settlement Fund for eligible Class Members without their own lawyers, and the Individual Settlement Fund for
represented individuals who sign the Individual Settlement Agreement and Release. Payments from both funds may be
made in installments over four years or more. Additional details and the Settlement Agreement are provided on the
official website.
How Do I Opt Out Or Object?
Opt out online or by mail by October 7, 2025 using the Opt Out Form on the official website. If you hired a lawyer
and execute the Individual Settlement Agreement and Release by the opt out deadline, you should not also submit an
opt out form. To object, file a written objection with the Clerk of Court by October 7, 2025 and send copies to
Class Counsel and defense counsel. You may ask to speak at the final approval hearing.
Is the larger Global Settlement only for individuals?
The Global Settlement total is $4.037 billion. It includes two tracks. The Class Settlement Fund is $135 million
for eligible people who have not hired their own lawyer. The Individual Settlement Fund is the larger part for
people who have their own lawyer and who sign an Individual Settlement Agreement and Release. You cannot collect
from both funds.
How do I file a claim in the Individual Settlement Fund?
You need to be represented by your own attorney. Speak with your lawyer about executing the Individual Settlement
Agreement and Release before the opt out deadline of October 7, 2025. Your lawyer will handle the submission. Do
not submit a class claim if you will pursue the Individual Settlement Fund. If you do not have a lawyer, the class
route is the one you can file yourself at MauiFiresClassSettlement.com.
What does the Global Settlement mean?
It is a single resolution that brings together many lawsuits related to the August 2023 Maui wildfires. Defendants
contribute money to a common pool. That pool is allocated into the Class Settlement Fund and the Individual
Settlement Fund. The Court must approve the settlement and the plans that explain how money is paid out.
Why is the Class Settlement a small part of the $4.037 billion?
Most money is reserved for represented individuals who may have higher and more complex losses that are handled
one by one with their attorneys. The class fund is a separate track designed for people who did not hire a lawyer
but still need a path to compensation.
Which fund is better for me?
It depends on your situation. If you already hired a lawyer or have significant losses that need individual proof
and negotiation, your lawyer may direct you to the Individual Settlement Fund. If you do not have a lawyer and
qualify as a Class Member, you can file a claim in the Class Settlement Fund yourself.
Can I switch between the funds?
Once you execute the Individual Settlement Agreement and Release with your lawyer, you should not also submit a
class claim. If you intend to pursue the Individual Settlement Fund, do that before the opt out deadline and skip
the class claim. If you plan to stay in the class, submit your claim by December 22, 2025 and do not sign the
individual release.
Do I need a lawyer to file a class claim?
No. Class claims can be filed online or by mail without hiring a lawyer. If you already hired a lawyer, ask them
about using the Individual Settlement Fund instead.
Will I get paid from both funds?
No. You can receive payment from only one fund.
How are class payments calculated?
The Court will review and approve an allocation plan that explains how money is divided among approved claims in
the nine categories. Your payment depends on the categories you claim, supporting materials, and the number of
approved claims. If approved claims exceed available money, payments may be adjusted.
When will payments be made?
Payments from both funds may be made in installments over four years or more. Timing depends on final court
approval and any appeals.
How Do I Find Class Action Settlements?
Find all the latest class actions you can qualify for by getting notified of new lawsuits as soon as they are open to claims:
• Official Settlement Website: www.MauiFiresClassSettlement.com
• Circuit Court of the Second Circuit, State of Hawai‘i, Nova Burnes, et al. v. Hawaiian Electric Company,
Inc., et al., Case No. 2CCV-24-0000964
• Long Form Notice and Settlement Agreement on the official website
Important Note
OpenClassActions.com is a consumer news site. It is not a law firm or the settlement administrator. Submit only
truthful information. If you are unsure about eligibility, review the official notice or contact the
administrator.