HONOLULU -- University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle (pictured, below) was fired Tuesday night by the university's board of regents.

Board chairwoman Pat Lee said the vote was unanimous. Lee said regents came to realize Dobelle no longer had their trust.

She said there was no longer a unity of purpose between the board and Dobelle. Lee also said there was no longer a clear recognition of Dobelle's integrity, character and commitment.

Dobelle was on the mainland on Wednesday, touring colleges with his son, Harry, a junior at Punahou School. He said in a statement that he is amazed by and regrets the regents' action. He said he is proud of everything he has done as president.

The board named David McClain, vice president of academic affairs, acting president effective immediately.

Dobelle came to Hawaii in 2001 after seven years as president of Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. He was paid $442,000 a year at UH and was midway through a seven-year contract.

In his last evaluation, Dobelle came under fire because -- among other things -- regents said he did not tell the truth when he said a top UH official gave him permission to endorse unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate Mazie Hirono in 2002.

Gov. Linda Lingle said she's waiting like everyone else to hear more details on the firing.

On her weekly radio show Wednesday morning, Lingle repeated that she wasn't involved in the decision and that she feels the board acted in what it felt was the best interest of the university.

Not everyone is supporting the regents' decision, however.

A string of Native Hawaiian speakers loudly protested the firing on Wednesday. They spoke before the Board of Regents, saying that Dobelle had worked with Native Hawaiian groups and given them hope. They pleaded with the regents to continue Hawaiian programs started by Dobelle.

Regents chairwoman Patricia Lee and others assured Hawaiians that the firing of Dobelle does not mean an end to Hawaiian programs at the university's 10 campuses.

Lee said the regents, for legal reasons, will not further elaborate now on their reasons for firing Dobelle.

Under Dobelle's contract, the regents face the possibility of having to pay Dobelle more than $2 million if they cannot show cause for his firing.

Board chairwoman Patricia Lee said the board has access to information that the public is not privy to. She said the board's attorneys advised the regents not to discuss their reasons.