University regent reveals
By Crystal Kua
possible conflict of interest
Star-BulletinAttorneys are determining whether one of the newest members to the University of Hawaii Board of Regents has a conflict of interest after her public relations firm submitted a bid for a university contract.
In a letter to university officials, Sharon Weiner, president and chief executive officer of Stryker Weiner Associates Inc., and a newly appointed regent, disclosed the potential conflict.
"I think Sharon wanted to be sure that she has no problems and had requested at least a review and opinion," UH general counsel Walter Kirimitsu said.
"I don't want to do anything to jeopardize the regents or the university," Weiner said.
The Office of University Relations sent notices to several firms requesting bid proposals on a contract to help train individuals in the UH administration on how to respond in media interviews, UH Communications Director Cheryl Ernst said.
Ernst said in a request-for-proposal process, the contract is not necessarily awarded to the lowest bidder but rather the firm who submitted the best proposal.
Ernst said she could not release information on the bid proposals already submitted because they are not a matter of public record, but the award of the contract would be made public.
She said, however, that numerous firms have replied to the request and the deadline for proposals is this week.
Weiner said she is not personally involved with this particular bid proposal, which was submitted after her appointment, and will not be involved in its implementation should her company be awarded the contract.
Weiner said if her appointment as a regent would have precluded her firm from bidding on university contracts, she would not have accepted the appointment.
She said there have been regents in the past who have done business with the university.
Kirimitsu said the legal review by his office will look into whether Weiner has a conflict of interest and whether the disclosure was a requirement.
Kirimitsu said it's not clear whether disclosure requirements in the Board of Regents' bylaws would pertain to Weiner's situation.
Weiner's first meeting as a regent is tomorrow.
http://www.kaleo.org
