HILO » After hours of emotional testimony in opposition, University of Hawaii regents approved a Navy-affiliated Applied Research Laboratory yesterday, allowing up to $10 million per year in unclassified military and nonmilitary research contracts.

The contract with the Navy will be re-evaluated at the end of three years for possible extension for two more years and the inclusion of classified research.

The vote was 7-1, with one abstention. Regent Jim Haynes voted against the contract, saying he had visited Kahoolawe and saw damage done by years of Navy artillery fire, never completely cleaned up.