The Maui wildfire, which killed at least 115 people and destroyed the resort city of Lahaina, has led to a class action lawsuit being filed against Hawaiian Electric Industries. According to Maui County officials, “between 1,000 and 1,100 individuals remain unaccounted for following the Maui wildfire disaster.”
Class Action Filed
The class action alleges that the company knowingly ignored weather warnings and created the perfect conditions to fuel the Maui wildfires. The lawsuit was filed by a number of law firms on behalf of Lahaina residents Monica and Rede Eder and other homeowners whose properties were decimated in the fire.
The National Weather Service provided ample warning that active power lines could be knocked down and create or fuel fires as a result of the powerful winds brought in by Hurricane Dora.
The tactic of cutting power in such conditions has been followed by utility companies in California, Oregon, and Nevada in the wake of devastating blazes in 2020.
However, by choosing to keep the power lines active, the Hawaiian power company “caused loss of life, serious injuries, destruction of hundreds of homes and businesses, displacement of thousands of people, and damage to many of Hawaii’s historic and cultural sites,” according to the class action lawsuit.
The lawsuit also specifically cites Jennifer Potter, a member of the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, who allegedly admitted that companies were aware of wildfire risks in Maui nine months ago. “There was absolutely knowledge within the state and within the electric industry that fire was a huge, huge concern on the island of Maui, and even more so than any of the other islands,” Potter said, according to the complaint.
As a result of these allegations, Hawaiian Electric’s stock tumbled to a 13-year low Monday morning, plummeting nearly 40%. The impact of this class action lawsuit on Hawaiian Electric Industries remains to be seen. However, this tragic event has brought needed attention to the importance of proper safety measures and precautions in preventing wildfires.
The Maui Wildfire
The Maui wildfire was the deadliest wildfire in Hawaii’s history. The Maui wildfire killed at least 115 people and destroyed the resort city of Lahaina.
The fire destroyed over 2,700 homes and businesses and forced thousands of people to evacuate. The aftermath has been devastating for those affected by the fire.
The class-action lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric Industries is just one example of how people are seeking justice for what happened. Many people have lost everything they owned in the fire and are now struggling to rebuild their lives. The lawsuit seeks to hold those responsible for the fire accountable for their actions.
Maui Wildfire Class Action Lawsuit Allegations
The lawsuit alleges that Hawaiian Electric Industries failed to take necessary precautions to prevent the fire from happening. It is claimed that they ignored weather warnings and did not take steps to protect their power lines from being knocked down by strong winds. This negligence is said to have created the perfect conditions for a wildfire to start.
The lawsuit also alleges that Hawaiian Electric Industries failed to properly maintain their equipment. It is claimed that they did not properly inspect or maintain their power lines or other equipment. This lack of maintenance is said to have contributed to the start of the fire.
In addition to these allegations, the lawsuit also claims that Hawaiian Electric Industries failed to properly train their employees. It is alleged that they did not provide their employees with adequate training on how to prevent or respond to wildfires. This lack of training is said to have contributed to the severity of the fire.
The class-action lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric Industries seeks damages for those affected by the fire. It also seeks changes in how Hawaiian Electric Industries operates in order to prevent future wildfires from happening.
It remains to be seen what will come of this lawsuit. However, it is clear that many people are seeking justice for what happened in Maui.
