On the day that Maui residents observed the second anniversary of the Lahaina wildfires, Maui Judge Peter Cahill extended the lawsuit filing deadline, providing victims additional time to seek damages and participate in a $4 billion settlement reached with defendants.
Judge Cahill extended the statute of limitations to October 1. To qualify, victims must submit by October 1:
- A signed settlement agreement
- A claims questionnaire
- All supporting documents for their damages
In May 2025, Judge Cahill approved a distribution plan for the $4 billion settlement reached with defendants. The ruling sets in motion a process for individual wildfire victims to begin receiving compensation as soon as December 2025 through the Individual Settlement Plan (ISP). More than 20,000 people—including families who lost loved ones, homes, businesses, and livelihoods—are eligible to submit claims.
We can help.
Key Lahaina Wildfire Litigation Developments
The ISP provides important guidance for recovering damages, including eligibility requirements and evidence and documentation standards. A sample claims questionnaire has also been created to help victims prepare to file claims. The ISP portal to begin submitting claims through the ISP began July 1, 2025. These claims will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and initial payments are expected to begin later this year. The deadline to submit claims through ISP is October 1, 2025.
“This is an enormous step for Lahaina wildfire victims,” said Beth Nardi, an attorney with Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman and a Lahaina resident whose home was destroyed in the fire. “The release of settlement funds is our first priority so that our clients can begin rebuilding their lives.”
Local Legal Support Matters
As one of the only Hawaii-based law firms directly involved in the litigation, Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman continues to provide close, personalized support to wildfire victims throughout Maui.
“I always try to reassure my clients and everyone that even though it feels like nothing’s happening, there are a lot of moving parts behind the scenes, and we are really trying to do our best to move this forward as expeditiously and fairly as possible,” Ms. Nardi told KHON Ch. 2 News on the second anniversary of the fire. “There are victims and claimants in California who are still litigating issues from fires that happened almost 10 years ago. And that is just not a situation that any of us want to be in if we want to move our community forward.”
The Wildfire, the Damage, and the Settlement
The August 2023 Lahaina fire, sparked by downed power lines and fueled by dry, overgrown brush and hurricane-force winds, destroyed more than 2,200 structures and caused over $5.5 billion in damages. Over 100 lives were lost, making it one of the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history.
“We are working closely with our clients to listen to their experiences, guide them through the process of collecting documentation and submitting damage packages to maximize recovery,” Ms. Nardi said.
In February 2025, the Hawai‘i Supreme Court approved a $4 billion global settlement. The compensation covers:
- Wrongful death
- Personal injury
- Property loss
- Emotional distress
- Economic harm
Major contributors to the settlement include Hawaiian Electric, the State of Hawai‘i, Maui County, Bishop Estates Trust, and various landowners and telecommunications companies. The state alone is contributing more than $800 million.
How Do We Fight for You?
Seek justice with the help of our experienced Hawai‘i attorneys. We’ve battled corporate giants on behalf of individuals like you for over 45 years, aggressively fighting those responsible for personal injury and wrongful death caused by corporate wrongdoing and fraud committed against the government. If you’ve suffered catastrophic injury or loss caused by corporate negligence or believe you have a government whistleblower case, we can help. Contact us for a free consultation. Contact is kept confidential.
