There has been too much emotional rhetoric and hand-wringing about the selection process for the next president of the University of Hawai'i.

Let's remember we are all in the same canoe. We need to think together, not against each other, because we all want the same thing: the best person to lead our university. Because this has been an open process, with public input to engage our community, some misinformation has surfaced. That's why it is important that we get the facts before we make decisions.

I am a member of the Selection Committee and, like many people, had hoped for a Hawai'i candidate to emerge from the 78 people who applied. The local roots and ties would be helpful in appreciating the diversity of our culture and the values we share, the sensitivity needed to understand the Native Hawaiian and other issues, and the dynamic relationship between the Legislature and the university.

During the seven-month process, we narrowed our search to 14 candidates. There were three local candidates, and one with strong family ties to Hawai'i. It became clear, however, that several candidates had stronger backgrounds in vital areas of university operations and fundraising.

Instead, we focused on candidates who embodied the values of Hawai'i in their life's work. Aloha comes from the heart, not place of birth. And we were searching for a candidate who could fulfill critical needs of our university.

What we need is an individual who has life experiences and achievements to fulfill the mission of a nationally ranked university. We want someone who understands — and has demonstrated — the skills to build relationships with public officials and the community. We need a strong leader who has successfully navigated volatile situations such as budget shortfalls and shrinking revenues. During this economic crisis, we need to raise money from sources outside Hawai'i. And we want someone who has the respect of distinguished scholars in higher education to take our University to new heights.

Dr. M.R.C. Greenwood has all the qualifications we sought for our next president. As one of my colleagues said, "Why would Hawai'i not want a preeminent scientist — one of the best in the nation — to lead our university?"

Before we named her as a finalist, however, we were also aware of the conflict-of-interest issues when she was provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the University of California.

The committee spoke to the attorney who conducted the ethics investigations into two issues involving Dr. Greenwood, UC General Counsel Emeritus James Holst. In the first, the investigation concluded there was no impropriety by Dr. Greenwood and she was exonerated. The second matter involved an improperly resolved business relationship, which Dr. Greenwood called an inadvertent mistake. Holst called this an isolated incident and told the committee, "At no point in her university service was there any pattern of impropriety or ethical lapses."

What was most important for me was that Dr. Greenwood accepted responsibility for the mistake, apologized, and pledged that this would never happen again. Like many others who have worked with her, I have full confidence in her personal integrity.

I support Dr. Greenwood and recommend the Board of Regents appoint her to be our president. She will make Hawai'i proud.