Hawaii’s major electric utility, Hawaiian Electric, has acknowledged its power lines as the origin of a Maui wildfire, while also pointing fingers at county firefighters for their handling of the subsequent catastrophic blaze. This admission comes in response to Maui County’s lawsuit, which accuses the utility of neglecting to cut off power amidst extreme wind and dry conditions.
Hawaiian Electric firmly refutes the allegations in the lawsuit, deeming them “factually and legally irresponsible.” The company emphasizes that its power lines in the affected West Maui region were intentionally de-energized for over six hours prior to the ignition of the second, more destructive fire. The fallout from this event resulted in a tragic toll, claiming the lives of at least 115 people and laying waste to over 2,000 structures, marking it as the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in over a century.
The utility’s stance seems to pivot accountability toward Maui County, asserting that the fire rekindled due to what it perceives as insufficient actions by the firefighters. The initial blaze had reportedly been declared “100% contained” by the Maui County Fire Department, leading them to leave the scene before the situation escalated.
Hawaiian Electric contends that when its crews arrived at the site, the area appeared devoid of fire, smoke, or embers, with power to the region already cut off. It was only around 3 p.m. that their personnel spotted a small fire in close proximity and promptly contacted 911.
Dismissing the premise of the Maui County lawsuit, Hawaiian Electric underscores that the power lines were non-operational for a substantial period by the time of the second fire’s eruption, and the exact cause of this subsequent blaze remains undetermined.
With Hawaiian Electric facing an onslaught of fresh legal actions seeking to hold it accountable for the catastrophe, Wailuku attorney Paul Starita, the lead counsel on three lawsuits by Singleton Schreiber, describes it as a “preventable tragedy of epic proportions.”
In the wake of this harrowing incident, Hawaiian Electric’s CEO, Shelee Kimura, expresses a commitment to deriving crucial lessons to enhance community safety, especially as climate-related challenges escalate globally.
Hawaiian Electric’s liability in the wake of this incident is as yet unclear, and it will be up to the court system to determine how much, if any, responsibility the company bears.
For individuals affected by this tragedy, seeking legal recourse, Farahi Law Firm stands ready to provide comprehensive support in filing lawsuits or pursuing financial claims.
The firm has a long track record of success in handling sensitive mass-injury cases, and our attorneys are highly experienced in navigating the complexities of such cases. Call our Maui wildfire lawyers for a free consultation.
