Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe canceled a hearing set for yesterday regarding a possible settlement of multiple Kaloko Dam civil lawsuits.

Attorneys involved in the cases met privately with the judge for about 30 minutes yesterday afternoon. None of those emerging from the closed-door meeting would comment.

A posting on the state Judiciary's Web site indicates Watanabe will reschedule a hearing, but did not say when.

In August, Watanabe approved attorneys' request that a potential global settlement of eight lawsuits connected to the deadly 2006 breach of the Kaloko Dam could be filed under seal, making it inaccessible to the public.

The disaster killed seven people who were in the path of floodwaters and extensively damaged property, including the main state highway on Kaua'i's north shore.

A hearing set for Sept. 8 was postponed at the request of attorneys, who said they had some points to work out.

The civil lawsuits involving wrongful deaths are set for trial next May if a settlement is not reached.