Maui

Maui Court Decision Shields Defendants from Insurance Claims After $4 Billion Wildfire Settlement

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Wailuku, Hawaii – A judicial decision in Maui has introduced a significant measure of relief for defendants involved in the devastating Hawaiian wildfires, as a local judge decreed that they cannot be pursued by insurance companies after agreeing to a $4 billion settlement. This ruling marks a critical juncture in the ongoing legal proceedings related to the wildfires that caused substantial economic and environmental damage throughout the region. The legal move effectively shields individuals and entities that have opted into the substantial settlement from further financial claims filed by their insurers. This decision is set … Read more

Maui Wildfire Victims Secure $4 Billion in Historic Settlement, Closing Hundreds of Lawsuits

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Honolulu, Hawaii — Victims of the devastating wildfires in Maui have reached a $4 billion settlement, resolving hundreds of lawsuits linked to the disaster that claimed lives and obliterated communities. The financial settlement represents a crucial step in compensating those affected by the catastrophic events and underscores the broader impacts of climate change and aged infrastructure on natural disasters. The settlement, announced earlier this week, arises out of litigation against more than 20 entities, including utility companies and landowners who plaintiffs argued had failed to properly maintain power lines and clear hazardous vegetation. These oversights … Read more

Maui Planning Commissioner Faces Court Summons Over Appointments Dispute

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MAUI, Hawaii – Second Circuit Court Judge Kelsey Kawano has taken legal action against Danny Ray Blackburn, calling him to appear in court on April 17 to justify his position as a Maui County Planning Commissioner. In addition to the summons, Judge Kawano issued a temporary restraining order, preventing Blackburn from participating in the Maui Planning Commission meeting. These actions come after a dispute over Blackburn’s appointment by Mayor Richard Bissen. Blackburn, who works as the Hawaii division manager for F & H Construction, a company based in Lodi, California, has been responsible for overseeing … Read more