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 Nov. 15, 2024, 13 petitions for 330 families have been filed with the Probate Court. Payments relating to claims of deceased class members have begun and will continue periodically throughout the probate process as the Probate Court approves the probate petitions.
Whenever a new petition is filed and set for hearing, it is uploaded to 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
More information about the probate process and how Deceased Class Members’ claims will be handled can be found on www.kalima-lawsuit.com.
This 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 likely be processed first. Those with incomplete information will take longer.
Deceased Class Member and Family Information Forms
To advance the process of distributing 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.
The Claims Administrator still has not received Deceased Class Member and Family Information forms for approximately 249 deceased Class Members. Both forms can be found at the Kalima website. Any family member can fill them in online and 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.
It is critical that these forms be completed and submitted to the Claims Administrator to ensure prompt payments to Deceased Class Members’ heirs.
Settlement Payments to Living Class Members
Settlement checks have been mailed to approximately 1,300 living Class Members. Settlement checks must be cashed within 120 days after issuance.
There are approximately 30 Class Members who have not cashed their checks. Please contact the Claims Administrator if you have not cashed your check or if you have not received your check 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 even after you receive your check.
Monday Dec. 16, 2024, Talk Story, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Probate Special Master Emily Kawashima and Probate Special Counsel Scott Suzuki will be conducting a Talk Story to answer questions about the probate process. Please visit www.kalima-lawsuit.com for information on how to join the discussion by Zoom or telephone.
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 have questions. If you are available at limited times, please include that information in your message.
