Hawaii’s One Ohana Fund offers all $175M to Maui wildfire victims

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The state said all $175 million available through the One Ohana Fund, formerly the Maui Wildfires Compensation Program, has been offered to those who lost loved ones or suffered serious physical injuries.

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Gov. Josh Green made the announcement Thursday, ahead of the third anniversary of the devastating wildfires in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui that claimed 102 lives and seriously injured others.

As of Tuesday, Aug. 4, the Office of the Governor said the program has offered compensation for 162 eligible claims across two phases, including 102 death claims and 60 serious physical injury claims.

More than $155.7 million has been delivered, and compensation has been offered to the families of all 102 known people who died because of the fires.

“As we approach three years since the Maui wildfires, our hearts remain with every family carrying the pain of that day,” said Green. “No payment can replace a loved one or erase what survivors endured.”

Breakdown of payments by phase

Phase One provided more than $38.7 million through 30 eligible claims, including 23 death claims and seven serious physical injury claims. All Phase One payments have been completed.

Of those, 132 were determined eligible for compensation, including 79 death claims and 53 serious physical injury claims. All 79 eligible Phase Two death claims have been paid, with more than $117 million distributed to date. Amounts remain subject to required withholding for healthcare liens or attorneys’ fees.

The 53 eligible Phase Two physical injury claimants have been offered a combined $17.8 million. Program administrators are working with claimants to finalize agreements, resolve healthcare liens and complete the remaining steps required to issue payments.

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The deadline to accept an injury offer is Aug. 15.

How the fund differs from the $4B global settlement

The state launched the program on Nov. 8, 2023, to provide an accessible and Hawaii-centered alternative for compensating eligible death and serious physical injury claims.

Eligible death claims received $1.5 million, while serious physical injury awards are determined by the severity of injury and may total up to $1.5 million.

The One Ohana Fund is separate from the $4.037 billion global Maui wildfire settlement, which is still under litigation. Those who are eligible may receive additional compensation through the broader settlement, subject to applicable offsets for the One Ohana Fund payments covering the same loss, the state said.

“The One Ohana Fund was created to provide meaningful help without forcing families to wait years for relief,” Green said. “We will continue working with the same urgency and compassion until the remaining injury payments are completed and every affected ohana has the support needed to heal and rebuild.”

The fund was made possible through $175 million in contributions from Hawaiian Electric Co., the state of Hawaii, Kamehameha Schools, Maui County, Charter/Spectrum, Hawaiian Telcom and West Maui Land Co.

Green also recognized retired Judge Ronald Ibarra, who served as trustee and administrator during Phase One, as well as Phase Two trustee Keith Hunter and administrator Amy Gernon for their work administering the program.

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