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Maui County sues utility and affiliates for deadly wildfires.

The Largest County⁤ on Maui Island Sues Public Utility⁢ for Negligence

The‌ largest ⁤county on the Hawaiian⁣ island of Maui is​ taking legal action against the state’s public⁢ utility, alleging ⁤”gross negligence” that led to devastating ‌wildfires. These fires claimed the lives of at ⁣least 115 people and caused extensive‍ damage to ‍thousands of buildings and homes.

Maui County filed a civil lawsuit⁣ on ⁣Aug. 24 in the Second Circuit Court against ⁢Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) and its affiliates, Maui Electric Co. (MEC), Hawaiian⁤ Electric ​Co. ⁣(HECO), and‌ Hawaiian Electric Light Co. ⁢(HELCO).

The lawsuit accuses the defendants of failing⁤ to⁣ shut down power lines despite “red flag”‌ warnings from the ‌National Weather Service (NWS)‌ and neglecting proper equipment maintenance.

Related ‌Stories

The 56-page document states, “Had the⁣ defendants heeded the‍ NWS warnings and de-energized their‌ power lines during ⁢the predicted high-wind gusts, the destruction could have ‌been avoided.”

The lawsuit argues that a‌ combination of ⁢high ⁣winds caused by Hurricane Dora, dry conditions, and an ⁣aging power infrastructure led to three destructive wildfires on Maui in ⁤early August.

The⁢ Lahaina Fire, which started on Aug. 8, was the most‍ devastating, resulting in the loss of ⁤at least 115 lives and the destruction of 2,200 buildings. The Kula Fire ⁤and the Olinda ⁢Fire also caused significant damage.

The suit accuses ‌the defendants‍ of “inexcusably” energizing power lines during ⁢high-fire danger conditions.

Maui County aims to recover damages for⁣ public‍ resources, including infrastructure losses, fire response costs, revenue losses, increased expenses, ⁣environmental ⁢damages, and the loss of historical or cultural landmarks.

Weather Warning ⁣and Cost of Rebuilding

In early‍ August, the National⁤ Weather Service (NWS) ⁤issued warnings to MECO and HECO about damaging winds and the potential for rapid fire⁣ spread. The estimated cost to rebuild and restore the ‌damage caused by the Lahaina Fire ‍is around $5 billion.

The lawsuit claims that Maui County suffered ⁤property​ losses, lost tax ‌revenues, and other ⁤significant damages.

Hawaiian Electric Industries,‍ the parent company ⁣of HECO, MECO, and⁣ HELCO, serves approximately 95 ⁣percent of Hawaii, including Maui County.

The ‍lawsuit highlights the defendants’ ownership of⁣ thousands of miles of electrical transmission and distribution lines, with 40 ‌percent underground, and HELCO’s ownership of 50,000 utility poles.

‘Duty’ to ‍Maintain Equipment

The defendants had a responsibility to maintain and ⁤repair utility‌ poles and power lines, ​including vegetation trimming, to ensure safety under all circumstances. Failure to do so is considered negligence and poses a serious risk to the public.

The suit‍ emphasizes that the defendants were aware of the vulnerability‍ of ‍overhead power lines to adverse weather conditions and the likelihood of⁤ contact with surrounding vegetation.

These alleged ⁣failures contributed to the ‍ignition and rapid spread of the Maui fires, endangering lives and⁣ causing extensive⁣ destruction.

Tragic Losses and Ongoing Risks

Many ‌Lahaina residents ⁤tragically lost their ⁢lives while ‌attempting to‍ escape the advancing wildfire, trapped⁢ in their vehicles.

Maui County’s lawsuit seeks justice ‍for the ‌devastating consequences of the wildfires and ⁢aims to hold the defendants accountable for their alleged negligence.



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