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Insurers have already sold $340 million in subrogation claims to hedge funds, victims’ lawyers say.

Efforts to boost the industry will focus on key Southern California markets, with additional pushes targeting corporate meeting and incentive planners.

The proposed settlement still needs to be approved by a judge. And insurers that have paid out billions in claims have not agreed to terms.

Judge Peter Cahill issued an order Friday requiring all sides to talk next month after defendant Hawaiian Electric Industries joined plaintiffs in asking him to step in.

Letters to judge show rare common ground between opposing parties.

The threat of an imminent shutdown had loomed over the aviation businesses there for several years.

U.S. District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright rejected arguments from Sandwich Isles Communications and its parent company.

The Public Utilities Commission must now decide how to remedy the situation.

Updated: State regulators are set to decide Monday what penalties, if any, the company should face.

The lawsuits are part of a national campaign pitting “swarms of lawyers” against thousands of defendants.