The University of Hawaii plans to spend up to $50,000 to hire a consultant to help with recruiting candidates to replace outgoing President M.R.C. Greenwood.

The Board of Regents presidential selection committee recommended using both a search consultant and an executive search firm.

The committee will solicit proposals over the next three weeks and expects to start reviewing offers after Sept. 11, committee Chairman Carl Carlson said at the group’s Wednesday meeting.

"Part of the scope of work of the consultant will (be to) assist us in choosing a search firm," Carlson said. "We think the consultant can make us more efficient."

Regent Coralie Matayoshi added, "It’s really to economize it, not to spend more money."

The state’s procurement rules are being waived for the consultant hire because UH said it would take too long to go that route.

UH said in its exemption request that "procurement by standard competitive means" won’t allow the university to complete a "worldwide" recruitment and selection process in time to make a job offer by next spring or summer.

The committee on Wednesday vetted a working draft of proposed criteria for candidates. The regents want someone with strong leadership and communication skills, a passion for higher education, experience as a successful fundraiser and a strong sense of ethics, among other qualities.

Some regents reiterated a desire for candidates to be respectful of local culture but not necessarily have ties to Hawaii. They also want someone who will be able to mend relationships and restore trust in the university.

Greenwood announced in May that she will retire at the end of this month to spend more time with family and deal with health issues. Her contract, after an extension in 2011, was set to expire July 31, 2015.

Greenwood’s announced departure came nearly a year after UH became embroiled in the so-called "Wonder blunder" from a botched Stevie Wonder concert that tarnished public confidence in the university’s leadership and cast doubt over its operations and accountability.

The seven-member selection committee on Wednesday also expanded its makeup to include five non-regents who represent the All Campus Council of Faculty Senate Chairs; Associated Students of the University of Hawaii; Hawai‘inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge; UH Foundation; and the administrative, professional and technical employees bargaining unit.