STATE SENATE TO HOLD FIELD BRIEFING IN LAHAINA ON WILDFIRE-RELATED INSURANCE CLAIMS

News Release from Hawaii State Senate, September 20, 2023

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Today, the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection announced that it will hold a field briefing in Lahaina to address questions and take testimony pertaining to wildfire-related insurance claims. The briefing will take place from 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m., on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at the Lahaina Civic Center. Representatives from the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs will also be in attendance to help address questions. Please see the attached briefing notice for information about registering to testify.

"Our committee has heard from various neighbors on Maui that they continue to face challenges relating to processing wildfire insurance claims, including home, business, vehicle, and vessel policies," said Senator Jarett Keohokalole (District 24, Kāneʻohe, Kailua) Chair of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection. "With so many on Maui lacking access to lodging, transportation, and internet, it was clear that the Committee needs to go to them to hear their concerns and answer their questions. The priority for our Committee is to ensure that wildfire-impacted residents and businesses have access to factual information and that we support their recovery."

"I want to thank Senator Keohokalole for accepting my invitation to come to the community to begin an honest dialogue to address consumer protection issues, starting with insurance," said Senator Angus McKelvey (Senate District 6, West Maui, Mā‘alaea, Waikapū, South Maui).

This is the second time in fifteen years that a Senate Committee has held a field briefing on a neighbor island. In 2019, the Senate Committees on Ways and Means and Public Safety held a briefing on Maui in response to the Maui Community Correctional Center riot. Prior to that, statewide Senate hearings were held in 2007 related to Superferry legislation.

WHEN: Thursday, September 28, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Lahaina Civic Center, 1840 HI-30, Lahaina, HI 96761