$4.037 BillionMaui Fires Class Action Settlement - $135M Class Fund

Maui Fires Class Action Settlement - $135M Class Fund

By Steve Levine

Maui Fires Class Action Settlement

Published: November 3, 2025

Global Settlement Total: $4,037,000,000

Class Settlement Fund: $135,000,000

Claim Form Deadline: December 22, 2025


What is the Maui Fires Class Action?

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: Here


Submit Claim


Official Settlement Notice

Your browser does not support viewing PDFs inline. Download the PDF.



Sources

• 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.

For more class actions keep scrolling below.
Class Action Summary
Status Proposed Settlement
Global Settlement Total $4,037,000,000
Class Settlement Fund $135,000,000
Claim Form Deadline December 22, 2025
Category Wildfire Disaster
Case Number 2CCV-24-0000964
Case Title Nova Burnes, et al. v. Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., et al.
Court Circuit Court of the Second Circuit, State of Hawai‘i
Opt Out Deadline October 7, 2025
Objection Deadline October 7, 2025
Final Approval Hearing January 8, 2026
Claim Website Maui Fires Class Settlement site