The University of Hawaii Board of Regents voted unanimously this morning to form a seven-member selection committee to identify candidates to replace UH President M.R.C. Greenwood, who is retiring Aug. 31.

The committee will be responsible for coming up with a detailed plan for the search and weighing the merits of hiring a search firm to help with the process, Regent Chairman Eric Martinson said.

Regent John Holzman was named chairman of the search committee. Other members include Jan Sullivan, Saedene Ota, Chuck Gee, Barry Mizuno, James Lee and Jeffrey Acido.

The full board is continuing to discuss the framework for the search this morning.

Earlier, the board also voted unanimously to authorize an internal task group to come up with two or three potential candidates to serve as interim president.

Holzman, who also chairs the task group, said it would be practical to look at candidates within the UH system to "provide for a smooth, orderly transition" and "keep the wheels spinning." He suggested the interim appointment be for an unspecified term, noting that "the person may be there for a while."

Recommended names are expected to be voted on at the board’s July 18 meeting.