The University of Hawai'i is finalizing details in an effort to extend the contracts of Dave Shoji, Bob Coolen and Carmyn James before they expire next month, athletic director Jim Donovan confirmed yesterday.

"I think they are great coaches who have done a great job for the university and we'll do everything we can to re-sign them," Donovan said from the Mainland where he has been attending meetings.

Shoji, the Rainbow Wahine volleyball coach, Coolen, who coaches Rainbow Wahine softball and James, who coaches indoor and outdoor track and field along with cross country, have contracts that expire June 30.

In the past, coaches have often had to work under expired agreements, but Donovan said he wants to be more proactive on renewals. "With coaches who do a good job for us, both athletically and academically, and have worked to be a part of the overall athletic department team, we want to try and take care of their contracts in a timely manner so it doesn't become a distraction," Donovan said.

For Shoji, who will be 62 in December, it may well be his last contract at UH where he is the longest-serving active coach at 33 seasons.

Shoji and Coolen have worked on multi-year contracts but James, who was hired on a three-year deal, has had a series of one-year contracts since 2003. "We'd certainly like to move her (back) to a multi-year contract," Donovan said.

Meanwhile, Donovan, who was announced as athletic director March 7, remains without a contract but says he is not concerned.

"It will get done when it gets done," Donovan said. "It is a work in progress. My job is to work hard and make positive things happen. If I do that, things will take care of themselves."