KAHULUI » The University of Hawaii Board of Regents expressed its support for President M.R.C. Greenwood Thursday night, 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 board ended its fourth closed-door session on Greenwood’s future.

The statement is likely to end months of uncertainty for the university, which has seen the loss of $200,000 in an alleged scam, state Senate investigatory hearings, and a Greenwood request, later withdrawn, that the regents either pay her $2 million to resign or face a possible lawsuit.

But at Thursday’s more than three-hour executive session at the UH Maui College, the board decided to back the embattled president and issue a statement lauding her role in UH achievements over the past three years, 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 Hawaii. Our shared goal is to make the university the first choice of the people of Hawaii to achieve their academic goals and pursue their personal dreams," the statement said.

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

Thursday’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statement said: "President Greenwood apologizes for having sent the letter to the Board of Regents, which she has since withdrawn, and has no plans to bring legal action against the university or the board.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 Hawaii as well as serving as a center for productive and innovative research."

Greenwood was in the meeting with the regents along with attorney William McCorriston, who has been hired under a $25,000 contract to advise the regents on her contract. McCorriston has also had discussions with Greenwood’s attorney Jerry Hiatt since the letter was sent on Oct. 2. The letter also said Greenwood had been pressured by the governor and legislative leaders to reinstate former athletic director Jim Dono­van to his job.

The university also issued a news release announcing a series of public forums with Greenwood and board members to be held at each of the UH’s 10 campuses through January to discuss the university’s future. The first is from 4:30 to 6 p.m. today at Hono­lulu Community College.

The Wonder concert saga began in June when university officials announced that the pop star had agreed to an Aug. 18 performance to benefit the UH athletics department. Ticket sales were well under way by July 10 when then-athletic director Donovan announced that there would be no concert after all because Wonder and his representatives had not authorized the event. About 6,000 ticket holders had to be refunded.

UH officials said they had paid $200,000 to a Florida company that purported to be authorized to book the star. Wonder’s representatives later contacted UH officials to say they had not authorized the concert nor received any payment.

Greenwood acknowledged that the university was apparently a victim of fraud. Last week, two mainland men were arrested in the alleged scheme.

The debacle led to a special state legislative panel to investigate the incident and its aftermath.

See also: The regents’ statement of support for Greenwood