Hawaii

State high court probes conditions of Maui wildfires settlement – West Hawaii Today

Published

1 year ago

February 8, 2025

State high court probes conditions of Maui wildfires settlement – West Hawaii Today

Hawaii Supreme Court justices posed many exacting, and sometimes skeptical, questions Thursday to attorneys in a case pertaining to the validity of a $4 billion deal to settle Maui wildfire litigation.

Justices challenged four lawyers over their respective arguments on whether conditions of the proposed settlement affecting insurance company rights comply with Hawaii law.

It may be weeks before the court’s five justices render a decision.

After the almost two-hour hearing, representatives of opposing sides in the case expressed optimism for prevailing.

“We are right on the law, so I think the justices will see that,” said Jesse Creed, liaison counsel for numerous attorneys representing more than 17,000 victims of the Aug. 8, 2023, fires that killed 102 people and destroyed most of Lahaina as well as property in Upcountry Maui.

Mark Grotefeld, liaison counsel for close to 200 insurance companies that have paid about $2.3 billion in claims so far to fire victims and expect to pay over $1 billion more, had a similar view. “We know the law is correctly as we have stated it, so we feel very good about our chances here,” he said.

A decision by the court could determine whether the proposed settlement, which excludes insurers, can prevent the insurers from obtaining compensation, through litigation, from parties deemed responsible for the fire in an effort to at least partially cover payouts to policyholders. Without this prevention, the existing settlement arrangement falls apart.

The court’s decision is also expected to establish a precedent that could apply to future cases pertaining to insurance recoveries and how property and casualty insurance companies operate in Hawaii.

The parties that have agreed to pay $4 billion to Maui fire victims are Hawaiian Electric, the state, Kamehameha Schools, Spectrum Oceanic LLC and Hawaiian Telcom.

Maui Circuit Judge Peter Cahill approved terms of the deal in August and barred insurers from pursuing compensation, through separate litigation, directly from settlement payers.

Under Cahill’s ruling, the only way insurers can recover insurance claim payments is to seek court approval to obtain refunds from policyholders for any amount of compensation that exceeds the value of what they lost.

Cahill later agreed to have Hawaii’s high court decide three questions in an effort to determine whether his ruling complies with Hawaii law.

Most of Thursday’s hearing was spent discussing Hawaii case law, legal principles and notions of equity. Justices posed more than 75 questions to the four attorneys presenting arguments on two sides of the issue.

Creed told the Supreme Court justices that insurers sought reimbursement outside of what’s permitted by state law at the expense of fire victims who lost family, friends, homes, businesses and public facilities.

“They lost the core and the fabric of their community, and they need every penny to restitch the fabric and bring the community back together,” he said. “Every penny (insurers) take outside of the rules … is one less penny that goes back to rebuilding Lahaina.”

Attorney Ginger Anders presented arguments along similar lines for all the settlement payers.

“The settlement is structured to give insurers everything to which they are entitled to under existing Hawaii law,” she said.

Adam Romney, an attorney who presented arguments for the insurers, said this group wanted to be part of a settlement but wasn’t meaningfully included in dealings with independent mediators who suggested the parties agree to $4 billion as a maximum fair and practicable sum for the settlement payers based on facts and circumstances of the disaster.

“We’re not trying to block the settlement,” he said. “We would like there to be a settlement that helps everybody and resolves all claims.”

Romney said the insurers refused to agree to the $4 billion deal because they were not told how much each entity would pay. After the deal was announced, it was revealed that Hawaiian Electric’s share was $1.99 billion, which Romney emphasized is less than what insurers have paid in claims.

Terrence Revere, an attorney representing fire victims through class-action litigation also connected to the settlement deal, said the $4 billion figure is inadequate but was a way to resolve more than 600 lawsuits.

“Nobody was happy with it, but everybody but the insurers felt we have to move on,” he told the court.

Under current terms of the tentative settlement, the issue with the insurers must be resolved by May 19 for the deal to become effective.

Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald said a decision would be forthcoming.

“Mahalo to all our attorneys for your arguments here today,” he said from the bench. “The court will take this matter under advisement. We recognize the urgency of this matter and will issue a decision as soon as possible.”

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Hawaii

Hawaii AG provides update on public corruption investigation

Published

10 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

Hawaii AG provides update on public corruption investigation

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Hawaii Attorney General‘s office issued its regular biweekly update Friday regarding an ongoing criminal public corruption investigation.

The case concerns the disclosure of about $35,000 to a Hawaii politician.

The AG’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division has reviewed thousands of pages of subpoenaed materials and conducting 18 interviews, which have helped shed light on the circumstances under investigation.

According to this latest update, they are getting a more refined timeline of events surrounding the transaction in question, bringing investigators closer to some of the key answers they need.

Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez addressed the lengthy process as the public waits for details.

“I understand that people want answers, and we want the same,” Lopez said. “Following the rule of law is paramount to ensure that individual constitutional rights are protected. Releasing information for any purpose other than to further the investigation would violate my oath of office and my promise to the people of Hawaii.”

Lopez also took a moment to praise the work of the news outlets coverage of the case.

“I appreciate the responsible reporting from the news media,” Lopez said. “More than anyone, journalists understand the importance of being absolutely certain of the facts before releasing information.”

The AG has not identified any individuals involved because the investigation is active.

The next public update is scheduled for Friday, April 24.

Previous coverage

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Hawaii

Meet Miss Aloha Hula 2026: Faith Kealohapauole Paredes

Published

22 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Meet Miss Aloha Hula 2026: Faith Kealohapauole Paredes

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Faith Kealohapau‘ole Paredes of Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi (Nā Kumu Haunani & ‘Iliahi Paredes) was crowned Miss Aloha Hula Thursday night at the Merrie Monarch Festival, topping a field of 13 competitors in the festival’s first night of competition.

The contest features performances in hula kahiko, hula ʻauana and oli, showcasing both technical precision and artistic interpretation.

Judges scored competitors on a range of elements, including kaʻi; interpretation and expression; posture and precision; hand gestures; foot and body movement; hoʻi; authenticity of costume and adornments; grooming; and overall performance.

The 21-year-old from Maui received 1,161 points.

“It’s surreal,” she said. “I’m just so honored and blessed to be able to show and share my lineage and share the hula from my hello with all of Hawaii and all of the world.”

Paredes also won the Hawaiian Language Award.

“Hula will forever live,” she said. “It is through us speaking out in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. It is through us (to) not be ashamed of who we are and to hula on. Dance with your heart out.”

Paredes is a Kamehameha Schools graduate and attends Dartmouth College. She won the title of Miss Keiki Hula in 2015.

The rest of the finalists were as follows:

1st runner up: Keoe Momilani Michiko Hoe (1,156)

2nd runner up: Lahela Hoʻokela Medina Maio (1,134 points)

3rd runner up: Leimana Kaleinamanu Purdy (1,115 points)

4th runner up: Jelacia Naomi Waiauokalaniākea Peralta (1,098 points)

The festival continues Friday night with group hula kahiko.

View our Merrie Monarch Festival online hub here.

Samantha Makanani Aguon Newman

Nā Kumu Hula Karl Veto Baker & Michael Lanakila Casupang

Haily Kamakahukilani Nawahine Nascimento

Nā Kumu Hula William Kahakuleilehua Haunu‘u “Sonny” Ching & Lōpaka Igarta-De Vera

Kēhaulani Kaleikaumakamaeʻiʻomakamae Rubonal

Kumu Hula Keolalaulani Dalire

Mālie Kapuaonaonaikamauʻuuaolalokoikealohaokalaniākea Moe

Kumu Hula Kapua Dalire-Moe

Lilia Kaleialohaokealohalani Ka’ōnohi’ula Keohokapuakeakua Iokepa-Guerrero

Kumu Hula Niuliʻi Heine

Jovian Kauanoeokalaulani Range-Semisi

Nā Kumu Hula Kunewa Mook & Kau‘ionālani Kamana‘o

Keoe Momilani Michiko Hoe

Kumu Hula Robert Ke‘ano Ka‘upu IV

Lahela Hoʻokela Medina Maio

Nā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes

Faith Lynn Kealohapauʻole Paredes

Nā Kumu Hula Haunani & ‘Iliahi Paredes

Jelacia Naomi Waiauokalaniākea Peralta

Kumu Breeze Ann Kalehuaonālani Vidinha Pavao

Hiʻileilanikauakapukapuokeānuenue Puchalski

Kumu Hula Keli‘iho‘omalu Puchalski

Leimana Kaleinamanu Purdy

Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva

Līlianani Maya Rae Pi

Kumu Hula Kenneth Dean Alohapumehanaokalā Victor

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Hawaii

Hawaii lawmakers push for continued tax relief for most families

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Hawaii lawmakers push for continued tax relief for most families

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Hawaii State Legislature is entering the final weeks of the 2025 session with at least one point of agreement: income taxes will continue to decline for most families.

Both the House and Senate rejected the governor’s plan to cancel some tax relief, despite earlier uncertainty about the state’s financial situation.

“So what the Senate’s position is, is we want to make sure that the promises that were made are kept, especially with those families that make $350,000 a year or less,” said Senate Ways and Means chair Donovan Dela Cruz.

House Finance chair Rep. Chris Todd agreed the priority is ensuring ongoing tax relief.

Energy tax credits targeted to offset revenue loss

Continuing to reduce taxes means nearly $2 billion has to come from somewhere else. The Senate Ways and Means Committee voted to eliminate state energy tax credits for things like solar power and electric cars in 2029.

The credits could be saved if the economy improves.

“So this becomes a shared approach. Government cuts, business tax credits, get sunset, and then we’re still charging some of the higher end income brackets,” Dela Cruz said. “Their tax breaks are going to get repealed.”

House proposes tax increase on high earners

The House moved along a redesigned tax package that makes tax credits for spending on child care and food more generous and raises income taxes on families with incomes over $350,000.

“It would provide some ongoing tax relief to low to middle income families, but in return, we would request a 1% tax increase on very high income families,” Todd said.

The financial picture is clearer now, even with flood disaster costs, because of the federal disaster declaration.

“Now the state’s eligible to get reimbursed for a lot of these funds. We’re not sure what it’s going to look like, but that’s going to be positive for us,” Dela Cruz said.

Todd said the state is sitting on a solid reserve, a luxury not many states have right now.

All the proposals from the House and the Senate are now going into conference committee, where the final details will be worked out over the next month.

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