The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics Department is about to get a serious boost. Five major Hawaiʻi donors and organizations have pledged a whopping $5 million to support name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for student-athletes.
This investment is set up to help UH Mānoa stay relevant nationally and thrive long-term. The plan? $1 million a year for five years, which should help keep local talent at home, recruit top student-athletes, and make sure all sports get a fair shot.
The Power of Community Support
So, who’s stepping up? Each of the following is putting in $200,000 per year for five years:
- Bank of Hawaiʻi
- First Hawaiian Bank
- Matson
- Jack Tsui
- Walter Dods
It really shows off that unique Hawaiʻi community vibe, doesn’t it? People and organizations here genuinely believe in UH and its power to bring everyone together.
Matt Elliott, UH Mānoa’s Director of Athletics, put it pretty plainly: *College athletics has changed, and our objective is to adapt in a way that reflects the values of this university and our state.*
Why NIL Support is Crucial
NIL compensation is now the norm in Division I athletics across the country. Every school in the Mountain West Conference, which UH Mānoa is joining as a full member on July 1, has already committed big resources to NIL support.
UH figures it needs about $5 million a year in NIL funds just to keep up. Without that, there’s a real risk of losing local talent and falling behind the rest of the pack.
Impact on the Community
UH Athletics isn’t just about sports—it’s a source of statewide pride and brings real economic perks. Think back to the men’s volleyball national championship, men’s basketball making the NCAA Tournament again, or that wild Hawaiʻi Bowl win in football. Those moments really brought folks together.
Economic Contributions
Back in 2015, a study by the UH Mānoa Shidler College of Business found that, with a $35 million athletics budget, UH Athletics generated:
- $66 million in direct spending
- $128 million in statewide business sales
- $7 million in tax revenue
- More than 860 jobs across Hawaiʻi
There’s a new economic impact study in the works, and it should be out by the end of August. Curious to see how those numbers look now.
Educational Opportunities
It’s not just about money or wins. UH Athletics opens doors for nearly 500 student-athletes, and last year alone, over 170 degrees were earned by athletes. The donors get that college athletics isn’t what it used to be, and they want Hawaiʻi’s own to have a shot at playing for their home state at the highest level.
Private Sector Support
Several donors pointed out that it’ll take more than just these five to keep UH competitive. Jim Polk, Bank of Hawaiʻi’s president and CEO, said this new commitment builds on the bank’s long support for UH student-athletes and the university as a whole.
Bob Harrison from First Hawaiian Bank mentioned that UH Athletics represents Hawaiʻi in ways that go way beyond the scoreboard. Matt Cox at Matson stressed how important a strong NIL program is if we want to keep local athletes here.
Building a Strong Foundation
Jack Tsui and his wife Frances hope their contribution inspires others—donors, businesses, community leaders—to step up for UH Athletics. Walter Dods, who used to run First Hawaiian Bank, said Hawaiʻi really needs to move with the times when it comes to college sports.
UH President Wendy Hensel shared her gratitude for the donors’ extraordinary commitment to student-athletes and the future of UH Mānoa Athletics. She pointed out that college athletics has changed a lot, and this investment means UH can keep local talent and stay competitive, while the benefits ripple far beyond campus.
Future Plans
Matt Elliott, UH Mānoa Director of Athletics, shared that the $5-million commitment is a solid start. Still, he stressed that ongoing investment will really matter for long-term success.
He mentioned plans to launch a new giving society later this year. The idea is to recognize people and organizations who are stepping up to support student-athletes and the department’s future.
*I genuinely believe we are only scratching the surface of what UH Athletics can become,* Elliott said. *If we build this foundation the right way—with support from philanthropy, corporate partners, and ultimately the state—we can retain local student-athletes and compete at a high level.*
He added that this approach helps create opportunities for student-athletes who want to stay home, earn their degrees, and represent Hawaiʻi the right way. It’s a vision, but it feels possible.
For more details on this transformative commitment, you can read the full announcement on the University of Hawaiʻi News website.
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