In August of 2023, several wildfires broke out in Maui, Hawaii. There were over 100 confirmed deaths due to the fires. Much of the property in historic Lahaina was destroyed. In the weeks following, legal proceedings began. Subsequent lawsuits named Hawaii Electric Industries, Inc., as the primary defendant, as well as Hawaii State, Bishop Estate, various utilities, and others.

August of 2024 marked the one-year anniversary of the Hawaii wildfires that devastated the local community. Over the past year, significant developments have occurred in the case. After successful efforts made by plaintiffs’ counsel, cases were remanded from federal court back to state court where there is currently a state court litigation in the state of Hawaii judiciary, referred to as the special consolidation, under Judge Peter Cahill. Most notably, personal injury plaintiffs recently reached a global settlement with defendants. Settlement terms were filed into the special consolidation in early August of 2024. In part, the terms address subrogation’s (e.g., homeowner insurance companies) unwillingness to participate in meaningful resolution efforts. These terms address certain requirements related to subrogation claims needing to be resolved as part of the settlement.