Dobelle discretionary A discretionary fund to pay for University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle's expenses to promote UH reimbursed Dobelle and top officials for expenses ranging from $9.86 for a shovel to more than $9,000 to recruit a senior member of his administration.
fund mostly for
travel, receptions
By Craig Gima
cgima@starbulletin.com
The reimbursements also included money for first-class flight upgrades for Dobelle and his wife, parties and private club memberships.
For the last fiscal year, Dobelle had $250,000 to spend for the advancement of the university. In the current fiscal year, he has about $200,000. The money is budgeted as part of the administrative expenses of the University of Hawaii Foundation, not from private donations unless the donors specifically designate the money for the president's use. About $100,000 was donated to the president's support fund last year.
The fund generated headlines this year when it was revealed Dobelle used the money to take two dozen donors and staff members to the Janet Jackson concert in February at a cost of $1,625. Dobelle paid for his wife's and son's tickets out of his own pocket.
University officials allowed reporters yesterday to review the receipts for the fund over the last 18 months because "there have been so many misconceptions and delusions about the use of the funds," said Paul Costello, university vice president for external affairs and university relations.
"There's nothing here to hide," Costello said. "It's what it is, dollars to promote the university. These are fundamental things that every university in America has discretionary money for."
Most of the money appears to be spent for travel and for functions at College Hill, the president's residence, where he hosts several receptions a week.
The fund also pays for first-class upgrades for Dobelle when he travels.
Costello said Dobelle's contract, which pays him $442,000 annually, also requires first-class travel on business trips. It also pays for air fare for Dobelle's wife, Kit, when she accompanies him. The fund has paid for four trips in the last 18 months, including $2,325.52 for first-class air fare for a trip to San Francisco in July 2001.
Dobelle has been on the road 208 days over the last 18 months, Costello said. Dobelle's travels have taken him all over the mainland and to Asia. Much of the travel involves meeting alumni, soliciting donations, pursuing opportunities for the university overseas and attending UH sporting events on the mainland.
The expenses also show Dobelle spent heavily to recruit Costello and other top officials.
Costello's recruitment trip and job interview costs totaled $10,974.56 to fly himself, his wife and a child to Hawaii in July 2001 and included a $2,608.62 bill for a three-night stay at the Halekulani Hotel.
Of those costs, $9,188.78 came from the fund, and the rest was paid for by the University of Hawaii Foundation.
Another senior-level candidate was reimbursed $4,404.32, including $1,283 for a three-night stay at the Halekulani.
The job interview and recruitment trip for the executive assistant to the president included a $2,608.62 bill at the Halekulani and a dinner at Orchids that cost $465.08.
Dobelle's university credit card bill is paid by the fund, and Dobelle reviews the statements and reimburses the University of Hawaii Foundation for personal expenses.
Over the last 18 months, Costello said, Dobelle has reimbursed the foundation for $22,000 for various personal expenses.
The receipts show Dobelle has a wide discretion over what is reimbursed.
The fund has paid for, among other things, $6,480 to pay for UH mascot Vili Fehoko and five family members to travel to Penn State University to cheer on UH's men's volleyball team in the national championship game; $2,313 to print Dobelle's 2001 Christmas cards; and $3,292.65 for his air fare for the NCAA basketball tournament.
The expense also includes multiple bills for leis for various events, $1,021 for Christmas decorations at College Hill and even $9.86 for a shovel that Dobelle used as a prop in a speech before the Chamber of Commerce where he promoted the upcoming groundbreaking for the biomedical center in Kakaako.
University of Hawaii
