By Thomas Grande, Esq. and Carl Varady, Esq.
Identifying and distributing all payments to the correct heirs of Deceased Class Members is now the focus of the Kalima claims payment process. Probate Special Master Emily Kawashima and Probate Special Counsel Scott Suzuki have completed 20 probation petitions covering the claims of nearly 600 deceased class members in the settlement. To date, nearly $35 million has been disbursed to the survivors of the deceased class members covered through these petitions.
Under the court-approved Probate Plan, the Court evaluates approximately 30 estates in a single hearing, instead of requiring every estate to be processed separately. Costs are divided proportionately between the estates of the deceased class members covered in a particular petition.
The Probate Plan ensures that the correct people receive the correct proportion of the settlement proceeds for each Deceased Class Member. This requires the location and verification all of survivors of the Deceased Class Members. Family members can advance this work by completing Deceased Class Member and Family information Forms (downloaded from the Kalima lawsuit website). Families who complete the forms are given priority in the probate process. If you have information regarding a Deceased Class Member and/or their family members, please fill out these forms as completely and accurately as possible.
The Court’s final review of each petition will be at a Probate Hearing. Notice of these hearings will be posted to the website and published in the newspaper. Attendance at the hearing is not required, but the Court appreciates participation by heirs who can share their family’s experience.
Once the hearing is completed, a proposed order is drafted for the Court to review and approve. This process usually takes two months but may take longer for complex estates. The order is not final until 30 days after the Court signs the order, giving parties the opportunity to file an appeal. At the end of the appeal period, the Claims Administrator will begin to process payments, which may take two months or longer. This is necessary to ensure proper payments are made to each heir in every petition and that all amounts due are fully paid to the correct people.
If you believe your relative was a class member, please contact the Claims Administrator at 1-808-650-5551 or 1-833-639-1308, by email at [email protected] or by mail at P.O. Box 135035 Honolulu, Hawai’i 96801.
For more information, we invite you attend the next Talk Story session on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom. Go to kalima-lawsuit.com for the Zoom link.
