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A letter and complaints with the University of Hawaii men’s basketball and athletic program, including early-morning disciplinary runs and lack of playing time, have apparently helped prompt the recent school inquiry.
People familiar with the process, but not authorized to speak on behalf of the school, said the investigation is expected to wrap up "shortly."
The Rainbow Warriors are scheduled to leave Aug. 5 on a six-game exhibition tour of China and Japan with a 10-man roster.
Head basketball coach Gib Arnold, who is among the subjects of the inquiry, declined comment Friday except to say, "I will be happy to comment when I think it is the appropriate time." Arnold is said to be cooperating with the inquiry.
An investigator was said to have talked to "most" of the 14 members of this past season’s team. At least one player said he has declined to speak with a Honolulu attorney whose firm has been hired by the school to conduct an inquiry.
A player who said he was "not allowed to talk" about the inquiry, wrote, "I will say the allegations against Coach Arnold are ridiculous" in a text to the Star-Advertiser.
Ordering players to run several miles at 5 a.m. as penalty for unexcused class absences is said to be among the complaints voiced by an unidentified disgruntled player about Arnold and the program.
UH officials have refused to acknowledge the existence of an inquiry or comment on its progress.
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