Experts Opine on Kauai Dam Collapse

A second Kaua'i grand jury is looking into potential criminal charges against retired car dealer Jimmy Pflueger over the collapse of the Kaloko Reservoir dam which killed seven people in March 2006.  Pflueger has denied that he altered the century-old earthen dam, causing the deadly breach.  The grand jury heard testimony from several experts, including a former Kaua'i County engineer and a worker from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.  HonoluluAdvertiser.com writes:

Relatives of the seven victims and several Kaua'i residents, including entertainer Bette Midler, have sued Pflueger for damages they allege were caused by the Kaloko dam breach.  Pflueger, in turn, has sued the state and C. Brewer & Co., the former owner of Kaloko Reservoir, alleging they knew about possible problems with the dam.