Maui County Sues Public Utility and Its Affiliates Over Deadly Wildfires

Lawsuit claims warnings were ignored that might have prevented catastrophic loss

A view of flames as wildfires engulfed the historic town of Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, on Aug. 9, 2023. Erin Hawk/Handout via Reuters

The largest county on the Hawaiian island of Maui is suing the state’s public utility for alleged “gross negligence,” resulting in wildfires that killed at least 115 people and destroyed or damaged thousands of buildings and homes.

On Aug. 24, Maui County filed a civil action in the Second Circuit Court against Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) and its affiliates, Maui Electric Co. (MEC)), Hawaiian Electric Co. (HECO), and Hawaiian Electric Light Co. (HELCO).