HONOLULU (AP) — The University of Hawaii says it will investigate allegations a top UH executive has wasted state money by mismanaging construction projects and steering contracts to firms operated by friends.

The university said in a statement Tuesday President M.R.C. Greenwood and university leadership have reviewed testimony containing the allegations. Engineer Dennis Mitsunaga submitted the testimony to state Senate's Committee on Higher Education on Thursday.

The Board of Regents and Greenwood plan to discuss the allegations against Associate Vice President Brian Minaai and the investigation in detail at the board's meeting in Hilo on Thursday.

An email message sent to Minaai seeking comment was automatically returned with a note saying Minaai's email is being forwarded and handled by university staff. University staff didn't immediately respond.