The University of Hawaii (UH) athletic department just took a big step in its push to secure funding for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation for student-athletes.
This past Wednesday, a group of UH Manoa student-athletes and coaches showed up at Bachman Hall to testify in support of House Bill 2384. The bill asks the State Legislature for an annual appropriation to back NIL compensation through 2030.
It’s already drawn quite a bit of support. The goal? Level the playing field for Hawaii’s only Division I program as college sports keep shifting under our feet.
The Importance of NIL Funding for UH Athletics
Let’s face it—NIL compensation is now a major factor in recruiting and keeping talented athletes. UH isn’t immune to this trend, and the testimonies at Bachman Hall made it clear: financial support is necessary to stay in the game.
UH has put in a request for $5 million a year for NIL. That number matches the growing demand for student-athlete compensation these days.
Student-Athletes Speak Out
Several UH athletes opened up about what it’s like without enough NIL support. Baseball shortstop Elijah Ickes talked about how tough it is to build a winning tradition when teammates leave for better offers elsewhere.
He stressed that keeping a strong, unified team is key if UH wants to make a real run at national success.
Coaches’ Perspectives
UH coaches didn’t hold back their support for the bill either. Football coach Timmy Chang and women’s volleyball coach Robyn Ah Mow both pointed out how much NIL has changed their programs.
Ah Mow, who’s seen it all from her days as a Wahine volleyball star and with Team USA, shared her own journey. She hopes future athletes can get the same opportunities she did—NIL support could make that possible.
Legislative Support and Committee Actions
The House Committee on Higher Education, led by Rep. Andrew Takuya Garrett, listened to the testimonies and voted 7-0 to advance the bill. That’s a pretty strong signal that folks are starting to get how much NIL matters for UH athletics.
Challenges Ahead
But it won’t be a cakewalk from here. The bill still has to get through the Senate, which has a history of being tough on UH finances.
It’s now with the Committee for Consumer Protection & Commerce and the Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs Committee. If it makes it through, it’ll have to survive some serious scrutiny before any money is approved.
Private Sector Contributions
State funding isn’t the only thing UH is chasing. The athletic department has been hustling to raise NIL money from private donors too.
Athletic Director Matt Elliott said they’re about halfway to their $3 million first-year goal for private NIL funding. He pointed out that both public and private dollars are needed if UH student-athletes are going to succeed.
Transparency and Accountability
There have been questions about how the NIL funds will be used. Elliott promised the committee that UH would share detailed accounting of how the money gets distributed.
Individual contracts will stay private, but the overall breakdown will be public. That should help with transparency and keep everyone honest.
Impact on Student-Athletes
UH athletes made it clear that NIL funding can change lives—sometimes in ways you wouldn’t expect. Football quarterback Micah Alejado, one of the school’s top athletes, talked about how much it meant to have head coach Timmy Chang believe in him.
Alejado’s decision to come back for his redshirt sophomore season says a lot about what a supportive environment (plus fair compensation) can do.
Women’s Basketball and Volleyball
Women’s basketball player Jovi Lefotu and volleyball coach Robyn Ah Mow also chimed in on the importance of community backing and NIL funding.
Lefotu, who’s battled through some tough injuries, said she’s grateful for the support. Knowing the institution is in her corner gives her a real boost.
The testimonies at Bachman Hall really underscore how urgent NIL funding has become for UH student-athletes. Without it, keeping the university’s athletic programs competitive feels like a serious uphill battle.
The House of Representatives’ Committee on Higher Education is backing the effort, and there’s a real push to raise private sector funds. UH Athletics is facing some tough challenges, but there’s a sense of hope about the future for these student-athletes.
For more on this story, check out Spectrum News Hawaii.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
