By Thomas Grande, esq. and Carl Varady, esq.
Settlement Payments to Deceased Class Members’ Heirs
Probate Special Master Emily Kawashima and Probate Special Counsel Scott Suzuki are filing Petitions in Probate Court to seek approval for settlement payments to the heirs of Deceased Class Members.
As of Oct. 4, 2024, the Probate Court has heard eleven petitions. These Petitions have collectively requested probate court approval for payments to approximately 250 families.
Whenever a new petition is filed and set for hearing, it is placed on the www.kalima-lawsuit.com website under the “Documents” link. Each petition contains details on hearing dates and the parties involved. This information is also published in the Legal Notices section of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
More Information About Probate Process
Additional information about how Deceased Class Members’ claims will be handled can be found our website. The Probate Plan notice that was mailed on Dec. 4, 2023, is available under the website’s “Documents” link.
The Probate Process is expected to take about two years to complete. Estates of Deceased Class Members with the most accurate and complete information about possible heirs will be processed first. Those with incomplete information will take longer.
The process is complex as some potential heirs of Deceased Class members also have passed and their potential heirs must be identified and notified, where possible. Counsel have requested, and the state has agreed, to use data sources available to the state to assist this search.
Deceased Class Member and Family Information Forms
To expedite distribution of payment to heirs, Deceased Class Member and Family Information Forms should be completed by family members. If you have submitted these forms already, you do not need to submit them again unless the information has changed.
Deceased Class Member and Family Information forms for approximately 254 deceased Class Members have not been submitted. Both forms can be found at the Kalima website. Any family member can fill them in online or print and e-mail them to info@kalima-lawsuit.com or mail them to Kalima Claims Administrator P.O. Box 135035 Honolulu, Hawai’i 96801.
Payments to deceased class members’ heirs cannot be made unless these forms are submitted.
Settlement Payments to Living Class Members
Approximately 1,300 settlement checks have already been mailed. Checks must be cashed within 120 days after issuance.
Checks not cashed within the time frame will be voided and a replacement check will have to be issued. This will cause further delays. Approximately 30 Class Members have not cashed their checks. Contact the Claims Administrator immediately if you have not cashed your check.
A small number of checks have been returned as undeliverable. If you have not received your check, contact the Claims Administrator to update your address.
Living Class Members should continue to update their contact information in case there is an additional payment after the probate period is completed. Please continue to update your contact information as needed even after you receive your check.
Contact the Claims Administrator at info@kalima-lawsuit.com or at 1-808-650-5551 or 1-833-639-1308 (Toll-Free) if you have questions. If you are only available at limited times, please include that information in your message.
