Maui Wildfire Victims Seek Dismissal of Insurer Lawsuit Delaying $4B Settlement

Community groups and businesses impacted by the 2023 Maui wildfires petition Hawaii Supreme Court to expedite distribution of settlement funds.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Two community organizations and two businesses that suffered losses in the 2023 Maui wildfires have petitioned the Hawaii Supreme Court to dismiss an insurance industry lawsuit that is delaying the distribution of a $4 billion settlement to victims. The petitioners argue the pending appeal involves the same legal issues the court has already ruled on twice, and is preventing critical funds from reaching those impacted by the disaster.

Why it matters

The August 2023 Maui wildfires were devastating, killing 102 people and destroying around 5,500 homes, businesses and other property in Lahaina. The $4 billion settlement reached in 2024 was intended to provide much-needed relief to thousands of victims, but an ongoing insurance industry lawsuit is holding up the distribution of those funds, further delaying the recovery process for the affected community.

The details

The petition was filed by Na Aikane o Maui, Lahaina Jodo Mission, Lahaina Yacht Club and Kusina Asian Market LLC, who are seeking the Hawaii Supreme Court's intervention to dismiss the insurance industry's appeal. The insurers have argued they should be able to directly obtain damages from the settlement payers or share in the funds as reimbursement for claims they paid out, but the state's high court has already rejected these claims twice. The petitioners contend the pending appeal is simply a new iteration of the same meritless argument.

  • The August 8, 2023 Maui wildfires killed 102 people and destroyed around 5,500 homes, businesses and other property.
  • In November 2024, Hawaiian Electric Co., the state, Kamehameha Schools, Spectrum Oceanic LLC, Hawaiian Telcom and affiliates of West Maui Land Co. agreed to a $4 billion settlement with wildfire victims.
  • On December 30, 2025, Circuit Judge Peter Cahill dismissed the case the insurers had filed against the settlement payers.
  • The insurers appealed to the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals on January 20, 2026.

The players

Na Aikane o Maui

A community organization that suffered losses in the Maui wildfires and is petitioning the Hawaii Supreme Court to dismiss the insurance industry's appeal.

Lahaina Jodo Mission

A community organization that suffered losses in the Maui wildfires and is petitioning the Hawaii Supreme Court to dismiss the insurance industry's appeal.

Lahaina Yacht Club

A business that suffered losses in the Maui wildfires and is petitioning the Hawaii Supreme Court to dismiss the insurance industry's appeal.

Kusina Asian Market LLC

A business that suffered losses in the Maui wildfires and is petitioning the Hawaii Supreme Court to dismiss the insurance industry's appeal.

Lance Collins

An attorney representing the petitioners.

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What they’re saying

“Survivors and families who lost loved ones deserve closure and the ability to rebuild. Continued appeals push that recovery further into the future with no end in sight.”

— Lance Collins, Attorney (staradvertiser.com)

What’s next

The Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals will need to rule on the insurance industry's appeal, which could take several more months or longer. If the insurers lose, they could then appeal to the Hawaii Supreme Court.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles between wildfire victims and the insurance industry, which is delaying critical relief and recovery efforts for the Maui community. The Hawaii Supreme Court has already rejected the insurers' claims twice, underscoring the need to expedite the dismissal of this latest appeal and get settlement funds distributed to those in need.