KAHULUI >> The University of Hawaii Board of Regents issued a statement of support for President M.R.C. Greenwood tonight, saying they will "work together" after months of turmoil that began with the Stevie Wonder concert debacle.

"The Regents are optimistic that under President Greenwood’s leadership the University will correct the management failures highlighted by the (regents’) Advisory Task Group Report on Operational and Financial Controls Improvement," said the statement issued more than four hours after the regents ended its fourth closed-door session on Greenwood’s future.

The statement lauded Greenwood’s role in UH achievements over the past three years as UH president, including attracting $450 million for researchers and the opening of the UH-West Oahu campus.

"The Regents and President Greenwood will work together to build on this record by offering affordable access, excellence in teaching, internationally recognized research and innovation, and a culture of service to the people of Hawai’i.  Our shared goal is to make the University the first choice of the people of Hawaiʻi to achieve their academic goals and pursue their personal dreams," the statement said.

Earlier today at the UH Maui College, the regents met in private for about three hours to talk about Greenwood’s employment contract and to begin discussions on Greenwood’s annual evaluation.

The regents came back into public session at UH-Maui for just a few minutes at about 4:40 p.m. and recessed until a yet-to-be-determined date before rushing to the airport to catch flights to Honolulu and neighbor islands.The statement came shortly after 9 p.m.

The discussions on Greenwood were held in executive session because it involves personnel matters and possible legal matters. 

Today’s meeting was the first since Greenwood’s attorney withdrew a letter that asked the regents for a $2 million settlement for Greenwood to resign and suggested she had legal cause to sue the university and the state for breach of contract and damages.

The regents’ statement said: "President Greenwood apologizes for having sent the letter to the Board of Regents, which she has since withdrawn, and has no plans to bring legal action against the University or the Board. Soul-searching has led the Regents and the President to rededicate themselves to the University’s unique role in educating the people of Hawaiʻi as well as serving as a center for productive and innovative research.":

Greenwood had been in the meeting with the regents along with UH attorney William McCorriston, who has been hired under a $25,000 contract to advise the regents on Greenwood’s employment agreement.

McCorriston has also had discussions with Greenwood’s attorney Jerry Hiatt since the letter was sent on Oct. 2.

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UH BOARD OF REGENTS STATEMENT