In August 2023, residents of the island of Maui, Hawaii, witnessed one of the deadliest wildfires in the history of the United States. Within a couple of days, the death toll surpassed 100 people, with many hundreds more reported missing. In the town of Lahaina, which bore much of the brunt of the fires, over 2,000 buildings were destroyed. On August 10^th, President Joe Biden declared the fires to be a major federal disaster. Nonetheless, by mid-August, local and federal authorities were still struggling to get much-needed aid to the island of Maui. While the rescue effort is ongoing, questions are being asked about the cause of the fires. The wildfires that ripped across the island seemed to have been caused by a combination of factors, including weather conditions exacerbated by Hurricane Dora, but it’s also possible that human error – and even negligence – was at the root of the outbreak. Maui wildfire lawsuits have already been launched against Hawaiian Electric Industries, claiming that the utilities company’s downed power lines initiated the fires. Regardless of whether Hawaiian Electric Industries’ infrastructure was the root cause of the fires, we still expect to see a wave of lawsuits as residents of Maui try to rebuild their lives.

• April 1, 2024 - A Number Of Investigations Have Been Launched Into The Maui Fires.
• March 1, 2024 - Maui fire survivors struggle to find long-term housing, half a year after the blazes.
• February 1, 2024 - Hawaii Lawmakers Are Considering Ways To Help HECO Pay Maui Fire Costs.
• January 1, 2024 - Maui is still struggling to find a balance between encouraging tourism while also reducing the trauma caused by fires.
• December 1, 2023 - Hawaii Attorney General subpoenas Maui agencies for their response to wildfire.
• November 1, 2023 - Terrifying Body Cam Footage From Maui Fire Released By Police.

By August 21^st, the death toll from the 2023 Maui fires stood at 114, with many more injured. This number is expected to rise. Over 3,000 buildings have been destroyed. Both federal and state authorities have been criticized for their sluggish response. Reports have also pointed to the fact that the toxins released by the fires will have a long-term contaminative impact on the island’s water, wildlife, and fauna. Initial Maui fire lawsuits have also been filed. The main lawsuit is against Hawaiian Electric Industries, with the company accused of years of infrastructure mismanagement and ignoring warnings, which could have led to the outbreak of the fire. Right now, we must await more details to be sure of the company’s culpability.

The fires spread on different parts of the island of Maui, but Lahaina, a town on the northwest coast of Maui, was the worst affected. It is estimated that 80% of Lahaina was destroyed in the wildfires, and the area also accounts for most of the deaths. The initial Maui wildfire lawsuit was launched by residents of Lahaina. Monica and Rede Eder filed a class action lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric Industries after their home burned down in Lahaina. The suit, which could eventually represent 1000s in the town, alleges that the company (and its subsidiaries, HECO, MECO, and HELCO) ignored calls to de-electrify its powerlines amid weather warnings, eventually leading to the outbreak of the wildfires.

It is reported that 114 people perished in the 2023 Maui fire (by August 21^st.) This number may rise, as many people are still reported missing and some of the many injured may succumb to their wounds.

The town of Lahaina was the epicenter of the wildfires, and it accounts for almost all of the 114 deaths thus far.

Many people impacted by the Maui fires of 2023 are likely to file lawsuits for compensation. Indeed, many already have. If you have been affected, you may wish to contact a Maui fire lawyer to begin your claim for compensation. Below we list some of the criteria for qualification for a Maui wildfire lawsuit:

First of all, qualifying will likely be limited to Maui residents ONLY. However, if you are a Maui resident, you may qualify for compensation if you meet the following criteria:

• You or your family have suffered a personal injury related to the Maui fire.
• Due to the fire, you or a loved one were forced to evacuate.
• You or a loved one have an insurance claim related to the Maui fire.

How did the Maui 2023 fire start?

Investigations are ongoing to pinpoint the exact cause of the fires. However, there is a working assumption that power lines downed in extreme weather may have initiated the fires at several locations across the island.

What is the Maui death toll?

At the time of writing, the Maui death toll is reported as 114, a number that is expected to rise.

Are the Maui wildfires still burning?

Most fires were contained around a week after the initial outbreak. Technically, some are still burning. Tourists are being urged to stay away from the island for the foreseeable future.

How much of Maui is destroyed?

Fires broke out at several points on the island, including Kula. However, the area most impacted was the town of Lahaina, which is considered to be 80% destroyed.

How many homes were destroyed in Maui?

Over 3000 buildings were destroyed in Maui, with Lahaina, again, being the worst affected.

How did the Maui fire spread so fast?

Dry conditions and strong winds caused the Maui fires to spread quickly on different points of the island. Experts are citing a range of factors – before and during the fire outbreak – that combined to make the impact so devastating.