HONOLULU — The Hawaii Attorney General’s office has concluded its investigation into the devastating wildfires on Maui, deemed the deadliest in over a century, which led to the destruction of the historic town of Lahaina. The findings indicate that no criminal charges will be pursued against any individuals involved.
Attorney General Anne Lopez initiated the investigation shortly after the wildfires last year that resulted in a tragic loss of 102 lives. To support this inquiry, the Fire Safety Research Institute was engaged to conduct a scientific analysis of the fires and offer recommendations. Initial findings revealed significant communication failures, while follow-up reports highlighted planning deficiencies among key agencies that hampered evacuation procedures.
Lopez stated that the review of past actions did not uncover any evidence that would justify criminal charges. In her remarks, she expressed gratitude for the courageous efforts displayed by Maui’s firefighters and police officers, who acted with professionalism under extremely challenging conditions.
The report from the attorney general also pointed out that the specific challenges faced by residents and officials were unique to Hawaii and Maui. These included narrow roadways congested with parked vehicles, private dirt roads obstructed by gates, and older wooden structures situated less than 6 feet apart.
Looking ahead, the attorney general’s office is preparing a third and final phase of the investigation, which will focus on strategies to avert such tragedies in the future. A report detailing these recommendations is anticipated in early 2024.
Additionally, a separate inquiry conducted by officials from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Maui Fire Department focused on the cause of the wildfire. They determined that the fire originated from a previous brushfire linked to downed power lines, which firefighters had believed to have been fully extinguished.
In the aftermath, numerous residents of Lahaina have filed lawsuits against several entities they hold responsible for the disaster, including Hawaiian Electric, Maui County, and the state of Hawaii. As the one-year anniversary of the wildfires approaches, Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced a $4 billion settlement, which the involved parties have agreed to pay to resolve these claims.
However, this settlement remains entangled in legal proceedings, as the Hawaii Supreme Court is currently deliberating whether insurance companies retain the right to seek reimbursement from the defendants for payouts made to policyholders.
