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Posted: Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012 9:04 AM HST

Apple/Sheriff testify on Wonder Blunder

By Ken Hupp - 67AM KPUA News

UH Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple defended his decision to remove Jim Donovan as athletics director during a seven-hour long hearing before a State Senate committee Tuesday during which UH regents admitted they should have been more public in their discussions about the Stevie Wonder blunder. Apple said he received a letter signed by 43 of 44 UH coaches saying they did not want Donovan to return as UH AD after Donovan had been put on paid leave July 11 during the investigation into the failed Stevie Wonder concert. Regents Vice Chair James Lee later testified he took the position that Donovan should not get the settlement approved by Apple. But the board did not reverse the decision during a five-hour long closed-door meeting on August 22. Senators also heard from UH Stan Sheriff Center Arena Manager Rich Sheriff, who said he was "surprised" when UH put him on leave after the university canceled the concert on July 10.