Increased legal fees for August 2023 wildfire litigation
Maui County
Summary
The county's excess insurer Safety National only agreed to cover $521,000 of an $854,000 bill from special counsel Meyers Nave, and after further negotiation the county's remaining share is $240,000. This wraps up the county's wildfire litigation legal funding asks — the insurer covers defense costs going forward.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 1
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed May 19, 2026.
Impact analysis
County taxpayers are on the hook for $240,000 more, capping Meyers Nave's total pay at $740,000; the insurer picks up the rest and future defense costs.
The county's general fund avoids a larger legal bill, and wildfire litigation gets wrapped up without new funding requests.
Hawaiian Electric shareholders and possibly ratepayers could bear the costs if the utility is found liable and passes expenses through.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Government Relations, Ethics, and Transparency Committee (2025-2027) — May 19, 2026
The county's excess insurer Safety National only agreed to cover $521,000 of an $854,000 bill from special counsel Meyers Nave, and after further negotiation the county's remaining share is $240,000. This wraps up the county's wildfire litigation legal funding asks — the insurer covers defense costs going forward.
Hawaiian Electric shares slide after Maui County sues for damages over deadly wildfires
Hawaiian Electric shares slide after Maui County sues for damages over deadly wildfires CNBC
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