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My side of the story  Michael Hartley |
Disillusionment over
Dobelle set in quickly
Editor's note: This letter from Michael Hartley was submitted in response to comments made by fired University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle in a June 25 Star-Bulletin story. Hartley, a former member of the UH Board of Regents, resigned in 2002. In his resignation letter he cited as reasons for his departure Dobelle's "lavish and unproductive spending," and his public endorsement of Democratic candidate Mazie Hirono in the 2002 race for Hawaii governor.I have purposely kept out of the current controversy over the firing of University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle, because I feel that the actions by the UH Board of Regents were justified but need to be explained by the current regents, not former regents. However, I must take issue with comments made by Dobelle in the Star-Bulletin's June 25 article.
The story reads:
"Dobelle said last night that Hartley is wrong about his spending on the BYU (Brigham Young University) game and that the former regent apologized to him about it. Hartley, Dobelle said, 'never showed a real interest in being on the board.'
'I'm sure the opportunity to resign using the (Mazie) Hirono endorsement as an excuse was sent from heaven for him,' Dobelle said."
First, I have never apologized to Dobelle for anything. I stand by everything I stated in my resignation letter to then-Gov. Ben Cayetano.
There was no need to apologize for something I believe to be true. And I believe, as more facts come out, people will see that my concerns about Dobelle's spending were only the tip of the iceberg.
Second, prior to being appointed as a regent, I happened to hear Dobelle speak at a charity function. I was very excited about the things he had to say and the vision that he had for the university. I came away with a strong feeling that the university was finally on the right path to fulfill its potential of being a great university. I felt that Dobelle was the man to do it.
When I was asked to become a regent by Cayetano, I jumped at the chance to be able to help Dobelle implement his vision. The job is hard work, with no pay and long hours. But it was a chance to give back to a state I that love and that has been very good to my family and me.
It became apparent to me after a number of Board of Regents' meetings that the president talked a very good game, but had little substance behind the talk. His main talent seemed to be in hiring former associates and friends at ridiculous salaries and putting them in positions for which they were not qualified. He also was very good at empire building, creating costly new departments within his administration without getting prior approval from the board, or explaining where the funding was going to come from. He would constantly inform us after the fact of decisions that would increase UH spending. And despite warnings to stop doing it, he continued.
With regard to Dobelle's fund raising -- one of the main reasons he was hired at such a high salary -- we saw very little activity, just more spending.
The board members had many discussions about how we could get the president to work with the board in an appropriate manner, especially in the area of considering the board with respect, and treating us as partners in the process using our skills and advice to help him reach his goals. Instead, many of us felt that he held us in contempt as "local politically appointed hicks" that he had no use for.
After spending many hours with him, I could see that he was not about to change. His endorsement of Hirono, the Democratic candidate in the 2002 gubernatorial race, was the last straw for me, but certainly not the only straw.
I applaud the current board members for taking the actions they have taken. While I am not familiar with what "cause" they used to terminate the president, I know that they are all intelligent, dedicated people who have the university's best interest at heart.