The $4.03 billion settlement intended to compensate victims of the devastating Maui wildfires is poised for distribution, yet many survivors , like Leslie Clark, harbor little hope it will fully cover their profound losses.

Clark, 62, whose home near Front Street in Lahaina was destroyed in the August 2023 inferno, expressed a weary resignation, stating that worrying about factors beyond her control "is not good for your health. It’s not good for anything."

Her sentiment reflects a painful reality: few victims will be made whole, even those who, like Clark, had property insurance.

While settlement checks could begin flowing as early as June, according to Jake Lowenthal, a Maui lawyer representing plaintiffs, the precise amount each victim will receive remains uncertain.

A team of claims administrators is tasked with allocating funds across 10 complex categories, which include whether someone was injured or lost their home.…