Those seeking closure for one of Kaua‘i’s deadliest tragedies will have to wait until the year 2009 before the first of two civil trials begins, a judge determined yesterday.

That’s largely due to the arguments made by several defense attorneys that adequate preparation for those accused of negligence in the Ka Loko Reservoir Dam breach will take ample time.

The breach killed seven people and caused millions of dollars of property damage on March 14, 2006, when hundreds of thousands of gallons of water roared down the Wailapa Stream bed.

Because of the breach, Kilauea resident Bruce Fehring and several other plaintiffs are suing property owner James Pflueger, the state of Hawai‘i and Kaua‘i County for wrongful death and property damage. Honolulu native Bette Midler is suing for property damage and loss.

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(Source: Amanda C. Gregg, Kauai Garden Island News)