Wonder Investigation Completed

The University of Hawaii at Manoa is expected to release the findings of its investigation into a botched Stevie Wonder concert Aug. 29.

The Oahu university planned a benefit concert at the campus’ Stan Sheriff Center Aug. 18. The university paid a $200,000 deposit to an unauthorized agency in Florida that claimed it could bring Wonder to Hawaii for cheaper than through his longtime agency, CAA. The university hired local promoter Bob Peyton, who gave the agency $50,000 of his own money.

The university was soon informed that Wonder did not know of the gig. Organizers canceled (despite Peyton’s claim he urged them not to), and the deposit money was not refunded, as per the contract.

The school’s athletic director, Jim Donovan, and venue GM Rich Sheriff were placed on paid leave. Donovan was eventually moved to a desk job, and Sheriff was reinstated.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents held a nearly eight-hour, closed-door executive session Aug. 22 and emerged to support University President M.R.C. Greenwood and UH-Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple, according to the Star Advertiser, which has requested the documents. Some officials supported Donovan but the regents stated they were “in full support” of the university’s decision to move him. However, he was cleared of any wrongdoing.

No matter the case, Greenwood said the university was scammed.

Photo: AP Photo

East Room @ The White House, Washington, D.C.

“Plans for the process and timetable for this action [removing Donovan] would have commenced regardless of the concert cancellation and ensuing investigation,” she wrote. “The discussions regarding this personnel decision were in the early stages and not yet public, but the attention of campus leadership had already turned to the recruitment process.”