By Thomas Grande, Esq. and Carl Varady, Esq.
The focus of the Kalima class-action claims payment process at this point is to identify the correct heirs and devisees of Deceased Class Members, so that payments can be made to them under the court-approved Probate Plan.
Probate Special Master Emily Kawashima and Probate Special Counsel Scott Suzuki have presented 27 Petitions to the Probate Court as of March 9, 2026. These petitions have collectively paid nearly $53 million to the estates of over 700 Deceased Class Members.
Approximately $180 million has been paid to the 1,301 Living Class Members, a 99.7% claims payment rate. Typical class actions have payment rates of approximately 10%.
Complex Probate Process
Under the court-approved Probate Plan, the Court has ordered the Probate Special Master and Probate Special Counsel to review the estates of every Deceased Class Member. Approximately 30 estates are reviewed each month by the Probate Court. Many of the Deceased Class Members passed away years ago. Records of estate plans and the whereabouts of their heirs are difficult to determine because of the passage of time. Additional time and research is needed for the estates of the Deceased Class Members who have not yet been included in a probate petition to be sure all procedural safeguards are thoroughly addressed.
If you have information regarding a Deceased Class Member and/or their family members, please complete the following two forms: the Deceased Class Member Information Form and the Detailed Family Information Form. These forms, as well as other information about this case, are available at the kalima-lawsuit.com website. Please also be sure to update the records if any information you submitted before has changed. You can also call the Claims Administrator at (808) 650-5551 or 1-833-639-1308 (Toll-Free), to obtain or provide information.
Attorney Talk Story
For more information about the probate process and the case status, interested persons are invited to attend a Talk Story with Class Counsel Thomas Grande and Carl Varady, as well as with Probate Special Master Emily Kawashima and Probate Special Counsel Scott Suzuki. The next Talk Story will take place on Tuesday, April 14, at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom or by telephone. Go to kalima-lawsuit.com for the Zoom link and telephone information.
