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.
Two petitions are being filed each month. Each petition seeks probate court approval for payment to approximately eight to 10 families. A total of 11 petitions now have been filed.
Whenever a new petition is filed, it is placed on the www.kalima-lawsuit.com website under the “Documents” link. Each petition contains details on hearings dates and the parties involved. This information is also published in the Legal Notices section of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
More information about the probate process and how Deceased Class Members’ claims will be handled can be found on www.kalima-lawsuit.com. The Probate Plan notice that was mailed out by the Claims Administrator on Dec. 4, 2023, is available under the “Documents” link on the website.
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 be processed first. Those with incomplete information will take longer. The process is complex, as some potential heirs of Deceased Class members have also passed and their potential heirs must be identified and notified, where possible. Counsel has 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 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.
Please note that the Claims Administrator still has not received Deceased Class Member and Family Information forms for approximately 263 deceased Class Members. 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.
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.
The Special Master has extended the date by which checks must be cashed. If you have not cashed your check within 150 days after the check was issued, the old check will be voided and a replacement check will have to be issued. This will cause further delays. Please contact the Claims Administrator if you have not cashed your check.
A small number of checks have been returned as undeliverable. Please contact the Claims Administrator 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.
If you have any questions, please 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 limited times, please include that information in your message.
