By Thomas Grande, Esq. and Carl Varady, Esq.
Settlement Payments to Deceased Class Members’ Heirs and Heir Search
Probate Special Master Emily Kawashima and Probate Special Counsel Scott Suzuki continue to carry out the court-approved Probate Plan, which entails petitioning the Probate Court to seek instructions about disbursing settlement payments to the heirs and devisees of Deceased Class Members.
As of April 10, 2025, 19 petitions been filed with the Probate Court, addressing the estates of approximately 500 Deceased Class Members. A total of $27.8 million has been distributed so far through the probate process.
Information about the Probate Plan is available on the www.kalima-lawsuit.com website. Filed petitions are posted on this website under the “Documents” link. Hearing dates and the Deceased Class Members addressed in a particular petition is on the website and will be published in the Legal Notices section of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Outreach to Deceased Class Member Families
The Claims Administrator has not received family information for about 240 of the Deceased Class Members. This information is crucial to locate possible heirs and devisees. Two forms have been developed to help gather information about the Deceased Class Member: An Information Request Form and a Deceased Class Member Family Information Form. These forms must be completed as soon as possible.
Because some families may not be aware that their deceased is a Class Member who filed a claim with the Hawaiian Claims Office, the Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations (SCHHA) will assist by conducting outreach in an effort to locate relatives of Deceased Class Members.
If you are aware of any family whose relative filed a claim with the Hawaiian Claims Office from 1991 to 1995, please have them contact the Claims Administrator (contact information below).
Probate Process
The Probate Process is expected to take another year to complete, depending on the availability and sufficiency of information about Deceased Class Members’ families, and the Court’s calendar. This is a unique service in a class action lawsuit and requires enormous resources of time and collaboration. All reasonable efforts are being made to expedite this process.
More information about the probate process and how Deceased Class Members’ claims will be handled can be found on kalima-lawsuit.com.
If You Have Questions
Please address questions regarding the contents of a Petition or Order them to your own attorney if you have one, or the Probate Special Counsel or Probate Special Master.
For other questions, contact the Claims Administrator at info@kalima-lawsuit.com or at 1-808-650-5551 or 1-833-639-1308 (Toll-Free). If you are only available at specific times, please include that information in your message.
