One ʻOhana Fund offers full $175 million to Maui wildfire claimants

Gov. Josh Green today announced that the One ʻOhana Fund, formally known as the Maui Wildfires Compensation Program, has offered the full $175 million available through the program to families who lost loved ones and individuals who suffered serious physical injuries in the Maui wildfires.

As of Aug. 4, the program had offered compensation for 162 eligible claims across its two phases, including 102 death claims and 60 serious physical injury claims. More than $155.7 million has been delivered to date. The program has offered compensation to families of all 102 known people who died as a result of the Maui wildfires.

The governor’s announcement precedes the commemoration of the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires that devastated Lahaina and upcountry Maui. The tragedy claimed 102 lives and seriously injured many others.

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

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.

Phase Two received 226 claims. 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. Applicable amounts remain subject to required withholding for healthcare liens or attorney fees.

The 53 eligible Phase Two physical injury claimants have been offered a combined $17.8 million. The program is working with claimants to finalize agreements, resolve healthcare liens and complete the remaining steps required to issue payments. The deadline to accept an injury offer is Aug. 15, 2026.

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

The program was announced on Nov. 8, 2023, to provide a prompt, accessible and Hawaiʻi-centered alternative for compensating eligible death and serious physical injury claims. Eligible death claims receive $1.5 million, while serious physical injury awards are determined by the severity of the injury and may total up to $1.5 million.

The One ʻOhana Fund is separate from the $4.037 billion global Maui wildfire settlement that is still in litigation proceedings. Eligible claimants may receive additional compensation through the broader settlement, subject to applicable offsets for One ʻOhana Fund payments covering the same loss.

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.

A PDF report on the One ʻOhana Fund can be found here.