Links to UH documents

Factfinders’ report of Stevie Wonder Concert

Letter of support from legislators

July 16 letter from Donovan’s lawyer

Aug. 11 UH Memo to Jim Donovan

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When the University of Hawaii Board of Regents emerged from a 71⁄2-hour closed-door executive session Wednesday evening, the bulk of the 15 members walked in line with UH President M.R.C. Greenwood back to the public meeting room at Windward Community College.

The return was viewed as symbolic after the board stood with the embattled president on the controversial reassignment of former athletic director Jim Donovan and the handling of the Stevie Wonder concert fiasco.

"We want to first emphasize our strong support for the leadership of University President M.R.C. Greenwood and UH-Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple," board Chairman Eric Martinson said in reading a prepared statement to the remnants of a gathering that had thinned considerably since the 9:08 a.m. start of the session.

UH officials said Donovan’s situation and the Wonder investigation, two of seven items listed for executive session, took up more than half the time, resulting in the postponement of the majority of the day’s agenda until a future meeting.

"We are in full support of the university’s decision to move former athletic director Jim Donovan to the UH Manoa Chancellor’s office and affirm President Greenwood and Chancellor Apple’s actions in this personnel change," Martinson said. "We concur that Jim’s service in this new role will be a suitable and appropriate use of his talents and we look forward to his future contributions to the university."

In backing Greenwood, the board rejected pleas from Donovan’s supporters to return him to the AD position he had held for 41⁄2 years of a five-year contract that runs to March 23.

Donovan and Stan Sheriff Center Manager Rich Sheriff were placed on paid indefinite administrative leave July 11 pending the investigation of the Wonder controversy. But while Sheriff was reinstated to his original position on Aug. 13, Donovan was reassigned on Aug. 12 to an as-yet-to-be-announced position in the Manoa chancellor’s office.

When Donovan’s current contract expires he will receive a new three-year deal paying $211,200 per year as part of a negotiated reassignment.

Before the executive session, regents accepted a letter in support of Donovan signed by nine neighbor island legislators and in-person public testimony from four people, including members of the UH Letterwinners Club, who asked the board to reinstate Donovan.

In a two-page statement, the legislators wrote, "We believe Mr. Donovan’s performance as athletic director has been outstanding and we urge you to consider the advancements he has made and the relationships he has built in the community and at the legislature."

It was signed by state Reps. Mark Nakashima, Robert Herkes, Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Derek S.K. Kawakami, Daynette "Dee" Morikawa, Jerry L. Chang, Denny Coffman, Kyle T. Yamashita and James Kunane Tokioka.

Charlie Araki, a former dean of the College of Education and member of the letterwinners’ club, told the board, "A great university will admit to errors but make the error right as soon as possible."

At a post-meeting news conference, Greenwood defended placing Donovan on paid leave.

"I absolutely do not think that was an overreaction," she said in response to a question. "We had to do that, we really had to do that."

She cited the $200,000 that was paid to set up the concert and which remains missing.

Greenwood, who Tuesday said that Donovan was not going to be retained as athletic director even before the so-called "Wonder blunder," said, "Many, many people love Jim Donovan. Many of us are enormously fond of him. We think he can contribute to the university in many ways. That does not necessarily mean that we plan to go beyond the five-year contract that he was given as athletic director."

During the open portion of the board’s meeting, Martinson said, "We apologize for the university’s handling of this matter and are deeply sorry for the concern and upset it has caused the community."

Martinson said an investigation commissioned by UH "shows a failure of management in the athletics department and additional issues with financial controls at several levels."

Greenwood said some employees will have their actions reviewed during annual evaluations.

Nevertheless, Greenwood said she did not anticipate punitive action against any UH employees or administrators.

"We will not be taking any punitive action. We will be taking corrective action. We will be having discussions. We may be changing some responsibilities. We will be examining our policies and procedures but, no, we will not be taking any punitive (measures)."

Greenwood said, "All I can say is, people did make mistakes. I feel I did make a mistake and I think many people in our (institution) feel that way … But we are an ohana and we care about our people. We know that their intentions were not evil."

Greenwood said, "Someone tried to sell us a scam and unfortunately we bit on it."

UH Report on Stevie Wonder concert