Attorneys for the University of Hawai'i and former UH President Evan Dobelle released a brief joint statement yesterday saying that mediation yesterday between the two groups was "constructive."

"The university is satisfied progress is being made," said the joint statement released at 4:30 p.m. yesterday after sessions with mediator Warren Price.

"The project is proceeding under timetables set by the mediator," the statement said.

The statement said there would be no further comment "pursuant to a mediation order."

Mediation began Thursday afternoon, according to attorney William McCorriston, who represents the university.

The sessions are held periodically to determine that the mediation agreement is on schedule.

Dobelle is represented by attorney Rick Fried.

Attorneys are being guided by an agreement that was signed July 29, 2004, to settle the contentious case between the two sides.

Dobelle resigned effective Aug. 14, 2004, and the university paid a settlement, giving him a package that included $1.8 million in severance pay and a life insurance policy valued at $1.6 million.

Under the agreement both sides were cleared of any wrongdoing in the case.

The "for cause" firing of Dobelle by the regents was rescinded by the agreement, and no fault was found with the regents' handling of the situation.

Under the terms of the agreement, Dobelle was classified as a non-tenured researcher for two years at an annual salary of $125,000.

He and the Manoa chancellor were responsible for coming to a mutually agreed-upon research project.

The mediation centers around several house-keeping issues of the 2004 agreement. There had also been some reports that UH had held up a payment.

Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com.