West Maui communities, except for Lahaina, have begun their phased reopoening. Photo Credit: RandyJay for Adobe Stock
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Hawaii will begin accepting aid applications on March 1 from families of Maui residents who were killed or injured in the historic Aug. 8 wildfires, the Associated Press reported today. A total of 101 people have been confirmed dead from the fires, which destroyed the town of Lahaina, and two are still missing.
Families of those killed are eligible to receive $1.5 million of the $175 million fund, which has been named “One Ohana” after the Hawaiian word for family. Those seriously injured will receive a share determined by an appointed judge.
The caveat: Aid recipients can’t sue
In announcing details of the offer yesterday, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green explained that the aid is an alternative option for survivors who are considering suing the state of Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric or others for their role in the blaze. Those who accept the payout will waive their right to sue the entities that contributed to the fund. Hawaiian Electric is the largest contributor, at $75 million, followed by the state of Hawaii at $65 million, landowner Kamehameha Schools at $17.5 million and Maui County at $10 million.
Green said those who sue potentially could wait three, four or five years before they receive money, and they would incur significant legal costs. “This recovery fund amounts to an offer and it’s really up to people if they choose to take this offer,” Green said at an announcement and news conference.
Governor expects more lawsuits
Multiple lawsuits already have been filed on behalf of wildfire victims against the state, the county, utility companies and landlords.
It’s unlikely that all survivors will file claims, Green acknowledged. “I would be very surprised if 100 percent of people took this offer, because some people will find that it’s better to litigate,” he said, adding: “That is absolutely okay.”
Ronald Ibarra,
a retired state judge, will evaluate claims as the fund’s
administrator. Ibarra noted that $25 million of the fund will be
earmarked for those seriously injured, and up to $10 million more will
be available to others who were injured if money remains after
compensating families of those who died.
A long recovery for Lahaina
The process of rebuilding Lahaina could take up to 20 years, State Sen. Angus McKelvey of West Maui said recently. Well before that happens, the community is working with FEMA to build housing for displaced residents.
For a first-person account of the area, read Mixed Emotions on a Return to West Maui from our sister publication, Travel Weekly.