What did you know, when did you know it, and why can't we get straight answers to our questions?

That sums up the seven-and-a-half hours of grilling of University of Hawaii regents and other highly paid people in-charge.

Lawmakers expressed frustration -- even with pointed questions about how much the "Wonder Blunder" cost taxpayers, the answers from lawyers and administrators were evasive.

"It seems like they give you as little as possible,” said Sen. Donna Kim, head of the special senate committee on accountability.

What may have started out as a $200,000 loss to the university, could mushroom to more than million dollars by some estimates, with the missteps, and the added layers of outside legal and public relations and accounting contracts.

The thing that triggered worried looks across the room was the concern that the settlement agreement and reassignment of Jim Donavan from Athletics Director to the Chancellor’s office, may not be legal because regents didn’t formally vote on it as some suggest board policy dictates.

"We were advised by our general counsel that this was within board policy that this was a settlement in respect to the $50,000 dollars and a reassignment," said UH regent James Lee.

"If there was any potential liability, or claim, and if there was a reassignment, that position of reassignment should have been discussed in open session. But, that wasn’t even posted on your agenda. You are contradicting yourself, left and right," said Senator Ron Kouchi.

The legislative probe threw light on serious governance issues with what some see as a dysfunctional board, and a culture of operating in violation of the state's sunshine laws.

There are also questions lingering over whether the UH president that may have overstepped her authority on more than one occasion; once when she stepped in to represent Hawaii in the Mountain West Conference and again while representing a large payout to outgoing Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw.

"This Wondergate is an example of how some people perceive that the regents are asleep at the switch, or too cozy with the president and outside law firms” said Sen. Sam Slom.

Lawmakers were also surprised to learn that while UH administrators contacted the FBI about the concert scam, they also failed to let Honolulu police know about the missing money.