Ousted Honolulu Liquor Commission administrator Wallace Weatherwax reported to work at the city Corporation Counsel's office yesterday morning, apparently ending the controversy — for now — over what he will do to earn his paycheck until he retires in October.

Commission Chairman Dennis Enomoto said he was happy that Weatherwax appeared for work as requested.

"He began reviewing files that we needed help on," Enomoto said. "We're trying to resolve some other work that we need and other transition issues."

Enomoto said he hopes that the arrangement will get the work accomplished "and we can all move forward."

Weatherwax and the commission had negotiated an agreement under which he was relieved of his duties immediately but allowed to stay on the payroll until he retires Oct. 31. In exchange, he agreed not to challenge the move that stripped him of his leadership of the agency.

After the agreement became public, Mayor Mufi Hannemann said "if you are receiving a city paycheck ... you need to work" and said Weatherwax had better show up. Weatherwax attorney Eric Seitz responded that his client would provide the assistance he agreed to for the transition but would not take on duties outside of that agreement.

Yesterday, the rhetoric had cooled on both sides. Hannemann spokesman Mark Matsunaga said Weatherwax is "doing what the commission asked him to do."

He said Weatherwax would continue to work at a Corporation Counsel office where attorneys resolve civil legal matters for the city.

Seitz said he and his client are meeting with and talking to the Corporation Counsel's office. "We're trying as best we can to work out arrangements that will meet everybody's needs that are consistent with the agreement that we all entered into," he said.

Enomoto said the settlement allows the agency to move forward with reform after years of scandal — eight former investigators found guilty of racketeering, bribery, extortion and other charges — a city audit blasting the commission for mismanagement; an ongoing FBI investigation and other ethics inquiries.

All eight investigators have left the office.