University of Hawaii Board of Regents member Eric Martinson has resigned, a year before his term was set to expire.

Martinson was appointed to the board in 2009, and was elected chairman in 2011 and again in 2012. John Holzman was named chairman in July.

Martinson was at the helm during last year’s so-called "Wonder blunder" — a plan to hold a Stevie Wonder concert to benefit the cash-strapped athletic department that ended with the university being scammed out of more than $200,000.

Fallout shook public confidence in the university’s leadership and spurred questions about its operations and accountability.

UH President M.R.C. Greenwood announced in May that she will retire two years before her contract is up to spend more time with family and deal with health issues.

The university said Martinson stepped down for personal reasons.

"His service to the University of Hawaii and the state is deeply appreciated and he will be greatly missed," UH said in a statement.

Martinson did not immediately return a call for comment.

He sent an Aug. 12 resignation letter to Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

Abercrombie sent Martinson a letter on Tuesday confirming that the resignation was effective immediately. He thanked Martinson for his "time, energy and commitment," according to the letter, obtained by the Star-Advertiser.

In a separate letter to Holzman, Abercrombie said he will ask the Regents Candidate Advisory Council to provide a list of candidates to fill Martinson’s seat.

Martinson held one of seven Honolulu seats on the 15-member board.

Eric Martinson’s resignation letter by staradvertiser