Governor Josh Green of Hawai'i has signed two laws, one for settling claims from the August 2023 Maui wildfires and another to strengthen wildfire prevention. The second law establishes the role of the state’s first fire marshal in nearly 50 years, according to the Office of the Governor.
The Maui Wildfires Settlement Trust Fund, created through House Bill 1001, provides $807.5 million to help people affected by the wildfires. The money comes from the state, the County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, and other sources. This is part of a larger $4.037 billion settlement. People who accept payment must agree not to take further legal action against the state or those involved. The goal is to avoid long court cases and high legal costs. Governor Green said, “This legislation is a huge win and sets a new precedent for swift settlement of claims for wildfire victims,” as reported by the Office of the Governor.
House Bill 1064 puts into law recommendations from the Fire Safety Research Institute's "Phase 3" report. It places the State Fire Marshal’s office under the Department of Law Enforcement. The office will now collect annual county fire reports, lead statewide fire safety strategies, and submit reports every two years. Dori Booth has been appointed as the new State Fire Marshal. The bill also creates the State Fire Marshal Selection Commission to handle appointments and oversight. Senator Brandon Elefante said, “It’s a significant step in building a stronger, more coordinated approach to fire prevention and public safety across Hawai‘i.” The state has approved $2.2 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund the office, as stated by the Office of the Governor.
