Frustrating, costly show replaces Wonder concert

The intention today was to revert to regular programming, fun and games. But a voicemail box full of readers frustrated with the University of Hawaii dictates otherwise. More than a month into the Stevie Wonder fiasco, we’re not getting answers from UH. Straight ones, anyway.

No word on completion of the investigation, but fallout has already begun as the so-called leadership scurries for the shelters and won’t talk. The benefit concert that has instead cost the state several hundred thousand dollars — and counting — was supposed to be Saturday night.

We’re still getting a show. But it’s sad and expensive. It makes you laugh, only so you don’t cry. And every time you think it’s over there’s another disheartening encore. As one caller said, "It gets worse with every passing day."

UH fan Raymond Shigeta said he is quitting the Na Koa football booster club and won’t donate to the school’s foundation because of this mess. I’m certain he’s not alone. So if anyone in the ivory tower thinks it’s smart to continue delaying addressing the public’s concerns, well, there you go.

Allowing the $200,000 to disappear in the first place was bad, no doubt. But we have a saying in sports: it’s about how you pick yourself up and get back in the game. UH has utterly failed in this, and it is hurting the institution as much or more than the original flub.

The phone calls, emails, online story comments, radio show call-ins and talk on the street all indicate disgust with the way this institution has bungled attempts at damage control, as well as the irresponsible waste of taxpayer money.

I asked someone from among the legions of high-priced public relations talent at UH for an update on Thursday. Hopefully from university president M.R.C. Greenwood, who is quick to take the podium in good times for sports, but is now conspicuous by her absence.

My questions for her included this: Is there any word on when we can expect the completed report of the investigation (as well as its cost), or at least more information, particularly about accountability for the $200,000 and avoiding a future such situation?

Instead of an answer, I was referred to an advisory that the Board of Regents would take up the matter Aug. 22 — in executive session, which is closed to the public and media. Presumably we’ll get comments after.

That’s like ordering a pizza and being offered cold broccoli … a week later.

SOME OF the focus has shifted to candidates for athletic director. That brings rise to the age-old debate of local or mainland. One of the biggest problems in this state is that too many people are mired in either a locals-only or a mainlanders-are-always-better mindset.

A horrendous collision of these two narrow-minded philosophies is why instead of either a clean end-of-contract aloha or a contract extension for athletic director Jim Donovan, we are left with Donovan in a newly created position at $200,000 per year and a void at AD.

UH tells us the investigation has exonerated Donovan. If that’s the case, this "compromise" screams of protection from a defamation suit.

It’s no secret Greenwood wanted Donovan out. But she overstepped, and the good-old boys in the legislature came to Donovan’s rescue, overtly — and, from what we hear, covertly.

State House Rep K. Mark Takai is like Donovan in that he cares deeply about UH. So much so that the former Rainbows swimmer sent Manoa chancellor Tom Apple a letter of support for Donovan, in Takai’s role as UH Letter Winner’s club president. It just so happens Takai is also a longstanding member of the house’s Higher Education committee.

"I don’t think there’s a conflict," he told me Wednesday. "I sit on the committee, I’m not the chair. No, not at all. I don’t want to speak for other people, but I was just one of 19 signatures. Regardless of who was president (of the letter winner’s club) I think the letter would have been written.

"It creates some confusion in the minds of some people and I can appreciate that. But I think it’s appropriate for legislators to have a position on this."

Debatable. Where’s the line between inappropriate meddling and righteous intervention?

Wherever it lies, the results have been disastrous.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783.