LIHU'E, Kaua'i — An attorney for Kaua'i landowner James Pflueger said his client's agreement to a $7.5 million settlement of county, state, federal and community group legal actions "demonstrates his commitment to do the right thing in the community."

Attorney Wesley H.H. Ching, of the Honolulu firm Fukunaga Matayoshi Hershey and Ching, issued a statement yesterday following the announcement of a settlement of most of the claims resulting from the incident at Pila'a on the northeast shore of Kaua'i.

Ching said the claims result from "allegations that Mr. Pflueger failed to obtain permits for certain landscaping work" on his property. During a November 2001 storm, large volumes of mud flowed from the area where Pflueger's crews had worked onto the coastline, with much off the mud ending up on the nearshore reef.

Pflueger has held that some of the responsibility for the slide should be shared by neighbors who did their own unpermitted work along the shoreline, and who have not been cited by government agencies.

"While it is unfortunate that this settlement does not address all of the parties who engaged in construction activities without permits at Pila'a, including some kuleana owners, the settlement firmly establishes that Mr. Pflueger accepts personal responsibility for his own conduct and is committed to bringing closure to these issues," Ching said.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.