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Hawaiian Electric Industries Settles Suit Over Maui Fire

Settlement Totaling $1.99 Billion to be Paid to Kamehameha Schools

Agreement Includes Contributions from State of Hawaii, Maui County, and Charter Communications

Honolulu, Hawaii – Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. (HEI) has announced a proposed settlement agreement over a lawsuit stemming from a wildfire on Maui that killed 102 people and destroyed the historic town of Lahaina. Under the proposed settlement, HEI and its subsidiary Hawaiian Electric will pay $1.99 billion to Kamehameha Schools, the largest private landowner in Hawaii.

The agreement also includes contributions from the State of Hawaii, Maui County, and Charter Communications. The State of Hawaii will contribute $600 million, Maui County will contribute $100 million, and Charter Communications will contribute $50 million.

The lawsuit, filed by Kamehameha Schools, alleged that HEI and Hawaiian Electric were negligent in their maintenance of power lines that sparked the fire. HEI has denied the allegations and said the fire was caused by high winds that knocked down a tree limb onto a power line.

The settlement is still subject to approval by a judge. If approved, it will resolve all claims in the lawsuit.