Father Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Hawaii and Maui Following Deadliest Wildfires, Alleging Gross Negligence

The father of a woman who tragically lost her life during the wildfires in Hawaii last month has filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against the state and the county of Maui. This is the first lawsuit of its kind to be lodged against the state regarding the wildfires. Harold Wells, on behalf of his daughter and her estate, is accusing the governments of gross negligence that led to the devastating blazes. The lawsuit, which was filed on Monday in Hawaii state court, also includes Hawaiian Electric, the state's electric utility, and Bishop Estate, a major landowner on the island, as defendants.

Hawaiian Electric is already facing several lawsuits, and Bishop Estate is being accused of negligence over the fires that destroyed the historic town of Lahaina in Maui. Wells' lawsuit claims that the defendants were well aware of the risks of wildfires and that the fires could have been prevented. He argues that the defendants failed to take necessary measures, such as proper vegetation and electrical grid management, which would have reduced the risk of wildfires. The lawsuit states that large landowners, including the state, county, and Bishop Estate, had a responsibility to regularly clear dry vegetation in the area to minimize the risk of wildfires, but they failed to do so.

Furthermore, Hawaiian Electric allegedly did not de-energize its electrical equipment during high winds, which sparked the fires. Wells' daughter, Rebecca Rans, is among the 115 people who tragically died during the deadliest U.S. wildfires in over a century. The county reported that 388 people are still missing. The lawsuit seeks justice for the victims and holds the defendants accountable for their alleged negligence. Hawaiian Electric has declined to comment on the pending litigation, while the Hawaii attorney general's office is reviewing the lawsuit.

Bishop Estate has yet to respond to the request for comment. In addition to this lawsuit, Hawaiian Electric is facing numerous other civil lawsuits, including proposed class actions, filed by Maui residents, property owners, and business owners. The lawsuits claim that the utility's negligent mismanagement of electrical equipment caused injuries, deaths, and property damage during the fires. The company has already stated that its power lines were de-energized after an initial fire, but a second fire started in the afternoon, which the Maui fire department was unable to contain.

Furthermore, Hawaiian Electric is also being sued by its investors, who allege significant losses and damages due to the company's alleged failure to disclose important information about wildfire prevention and safety protocols. Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a $95 million grant to Hawaiian Electric to help strengthen Maui's power grid. This funding comes as a response to the devastating wildfires and aims to improve the resilience and safety of the island's electrical infrastructure.