Gov. Josh Green Tuesday displays a new law that approves $4.037 billion in a settlement to Maui wildfire victims, as a major step in the recovery of victims. Photo courtesy Hawaii Gov. Josh Green’s Office

On Tuesday, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green signed a bill approving the $4.037 billion settlement for claims related to the August 2023 wildfires on Maui.

The measure commits the state to pay more than $807 million into the Maui Wildfires Settlement Trust Fund over four years, while several other parties are required to pay the remaining amount.

“The overall recovery will take years, but the settlement dollars hopefully will all go out quite quickly because those monies are now in an account from us,” Green said during a press conference. “We’re talking now about healing and recovery and our commitment to fire safety. That’s what this is about.”

Green acknowledged the settlement fund will not meet all everyone’s needs related to the fire, but he said it will help the recovery move forward now rather than being tied up in courts for the next five to 10 years.

According to Green, Maui is recovering as people are beginning to rebuild their homes and some of the people who lost loved ones in the fire have already received $1.5 million in an initial payout.

Under Maui wildfires settlement agreements, seven defendants — the state, Maui County, Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, Charter Communications/Spectrum, Hawaiian Telcom and West Maui Land Company — collectively agreed to pay $4.037 billion to provide compensation to the approximately 2,200 affected parties who filed lawsuits.

The state’s settlement amount is in addition to $175 million that the state has paid into the One ‘Ohana Fund for wildfire assistance to families of those who died and suffered severe injuries.

An additional $1.6 billion for rebuilding has also been committed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Green also signed legislation Tuesday supporting Hawaii’s first fire marshal in 46 years.

The Legislature established a state fire marshal to administer a statewide community risk reduction program and fund.

The fund is meant to provide financial assistance for fire-hardening structures in zones designated as high risk on the statewide wildfire hazard map, and it may provide county financial assistance, Green said.

“We have really taken kind of an evolutionary step in our ability to not just fight fires but to prepare for the future,” Green said.

The legislation further clarifies the roles and authority of the state fire marshal while supporting the efforts to provide coordinated, statewide fire prevention and readiness strategies.

To enhance coordination between the state fire marshall, the bill outlines responsibilities and the organizational structure related to matters such as reporting and recommending amendments to the state fire code.

The bill requires the fire chief of each county to investigate and maintain an annual record of fire occurrences.

These records must be submitted to the state fire marshal for centralized analysis. The county submissions will assist the state fire marshal in compiling biennial statistical reports, including those made available to the public and those submitted to the Legislature.

“Last month, I appointed Dori Booth as Hawaii’s new state fire marshal, reviving a critical public safety position that has been vacant for nearly 46 years,” Green said. “This appointment marks a turning point as we redefine the role — empowering the office with clear authority and resources to better protect our state through fire prevention strategies and analysis.”

Booth said her first month in office has been eye-opening and encouraging.

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet with dedicated state and county partners, as well as private stakeholders, who are all working tirelessly to enhance fire prevention, readiness and resiliency across our islands,” Booth said.

Booth said the feedback she has received has affirmed “the vital role the fire marshal’s office can play, not only in supporting these existing efforts but also in unifying them to build a stronger, more resilient Hawaii.”