The Law of Rebuilding LA Episode 29: Dealing with insurance subrogation claims

In the fifth and final installment of The Law of Rebuilding LA podcast series featuring Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, host Howard Miller explores how insurance subrogation claims nearly derailed the landmark Lahaina fire settlement and Hawaii's innovative response to future climate disasters.

In today's episode, Gov. Green tells Miller about:

• The $4.037 billion settlement achieved within one year of the August 2023 Lahaina fire
• The battle with insurance companies who demanded $1.6 billion of the settlement funds through subrogation claims
• How hedge funds and private equity investors purchased insurance claims
• The Hawaii Supreme Court's February 2025 ruling that limited insurer subrogation rights
• The insurance industry's economics in Hawaii
• Hawaii's new climate impact fee legislation - a hotel tax that will fund disaster prevention, housing, infrastructure bonds, and insurance market stabilization
• Key lessons on handling crises with compassion, transparency and a focus on community healing

You can listen to today's podcast on SoundCloud or on Apple Podcasts.

This concludes our week-long series with Gov. Green exploring different aspects of disaster recovery and rebuilding after the Lahaina fire.

Missed a previous episode? Catch up now.

Episode 1 -- Rebuilding LA portal, SoundCloud or Apple Podcasts.
Episode 2 -- Rebuilding LA portal, SoundCloud or Apple Podcasts
Episode 3 -- Rebuilding LA portal, SoundCloud or Apple Podcasts
Episode 4 -- Rebuilding LA portal, SoundCloud or Apple Podcasts

About Gov. Josh Green

Governor Josh Green is a dedicated physician, husband, father, and Hawai'i's ninth Governor.

Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he earned degrees in biology and anthropology from Swarthmore College and an M.D. from Penn State's College of Medicine. After completing his family practice residency, he chose to serve the underserved community of Ka'ū on Hawai'i Island, as a member of the National Health service Corps.

His experiences as a rural physician have inspired him to address issues like affordable housing, mental health, and addiction through public service. Dr. Green served two terms in the Hawai'i House of Representatives, three terms in the Hawai'i State Senate and a term as Lieutenant Governor, during which he was the point person addressing the COVID Pandemic. In December 2022 Dr. Green was elected Governor.

Since becoming Governor, Dr. Green has prioritized affordability, housing, healthcare, and climate action. He enacted the largest income tax cut in Hawai'i's history, accelerated the development of over 62,000 affordable housing units, expanded homelessness initiatives like kauhale villages, and launched programs to address the state's healthcare workforce shortage. His leadership during the Maui wildfire recovery housed nearly 8,000 survivors and secured billions of dollars for recovery efforts. Governor Green remains deeply committed to improving the lives of Hawai'i's families and building a more sustainable future.