{"id":1187,"date":"2026-06-10T23:07:58","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T23:07:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=1187"},"modified":"2026-06-10T23:07:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T23:07:58","slug":"5m-nil-commitment-aims-to-boost-uh-manoa-athletics-keep-local-talent-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=1187","title":{"rendered":"$5M NIL commitment aims to boost UH Manoa athletics, keep local talent home"},"content":{"rendered":"
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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Five prominent Hawaii donors and organizations are making a $5 million commitment to the University of Hawaii at M\u0101noa Athletics Department through the University of Hawaii Foundation to support name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for student-athletes.<\/p>\n

Read more The Rally Point: U.S. Vets Barber\u2019s Point Executive Director Tamah Lei Noh on what this non-profit agency is all about<\/a><\/p>\n

The commitment will provide $1 million annually over the next five years for NIL support, helping UH M\u0101noa retain local talent, recruit high-level student-athletes and provide equitable, Title IX-compliant opportunities across sports in an increasingly competitive Division I environment.<\/p>\n

The contributors, each committing $200,000 annually for five years, are Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson, and longtime UH supporters and community leaders Jack Tsui and Walter Dods.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis extraordinary commitment reflects something that has always made Hawai\u02bbi special: people who deeply believe in UH and understand the important role athletics plays in bringing our community together,\u201d said UH M\u0101noa Director of Athletics Matt Elliott. \u201cCollege athletics has changed, and our objective is to adapt in a way that reflects the values of this university and our state.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Watch the full announcement here:<\/b><\/p>\n

NIL race intensifies across Division I<\/h1>\n

As NIL compensation has become a standard part of Division I athletics nationwide, university leaders say UH M\u0101noa needs about $5 million annually in NIL support to remain competitive in the Mountain West Conference and on the national stage. <\/p>\n

UH M\u0101noa will officially join the Mountain West as a full member on July 1.<\/p>\n

UH leaders pointed to recent athletics highlights that brought statewide visibility, including a men\u2019s volleyball national championship, men\u2019s basketball\u2019s return to the NCAA Tournament after winning the Big West title, and football\u2019s Hawaii Bowl win over Cal before a sold-out crowd at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex and a national television audience that peaked at 3 million viewers.<\/p>\n

Leaders cite statewide impact, economic benefit<\/h1>\n

University leaders said those moments of shared pride underscore athletics\u2019 broader value for Hawai\u02bbi, including economic impact.<\/p>\n

A 2015 study by the UH M\u0101noa Shidler College of Business, based on a $35 million athletics budget at the time, found UH Athletics generated $66 million in direct spending, produced $128 million in statewide business sales, generated about $7 million in tax revenue, and supported more than 860 jobs across Hawai\u02bbi. An updated study assessing the department\u2019s current contribution is expected by the end of August.<\/p>\n

UH officials also highlighted the educational role athletics plays, with nearly 500 student-athletes participating in UH M\u0101noa programs and more than 170 degrees earned by student-athletes last year.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Donors: Hawaii must adapt<\/h1>\n

Donors said the changing college athletics landscape requires broader support from the private sector, community, and, eventually, the state if Hawaii wants to keep local student-athletes competing for UH.<\/p>\n

Jim Polk, president and CEO of Bank of Hawai\u02bbi, said the commitment builds on the bank\u2019s longstanding backing of the university.<\/p>\n

\u201cBank of Hawai\u02bbi has proudly supported UH Athletics for many years because we believe in the important role it plays in developing student leaders and bringing our communities together,\u201d Polk said. \u201cThis commitment builds on that longstanding partnership and helps ensure UH student-athletes have the resources to succeed in a changing collegiate athletics environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more \u2018Bodies in Motion\u2019 fitness icon dies at 71<\/a><\/p>\n

Bob Harrison, chairman, president and CEO of First Hawaiian Bank, said the program represents Hawai\u02bbi beyond wins and losses.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\u201cAthletics is an important part of the university experience, creating opportunities for student-athletes while helping foster pride, engagement and visibility for the university,\u201d Harrison said.<\/p>\n

Matt Cox, chairman and CEO of Matson, said a competitive NIL program is now essential to keep top local athletes in Hawai\u02bbi.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, that requires establishing a strong NIL foundation that will help UH attract and retain top local talent, and we need to start now,\u201d Cox said.<\/p>\n

Tsui said the private sector has a role in helping UH remain competitive.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\u201cMy wife Frances and I are honored to participate in the fundraising project for NIL,\u201d Tsui said. \u201cWe hope that our commitment will encourage other donors, large and small, UH supporters, business and community leaders to stand up and be counted so that UH can continue to be competitive and thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dods, a former First Hawaiian Bank CEO and longtime philanthropic supporter of the university, said NIL investment is already a reality across college sports.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery school we compete against is investing in NIL, and if we want Hawai\u02bbi teams to remain competitive and our student-athletes to stay home, then we \u2014 the state, the private sector and the broader community \u2014 need to step up in some way,\u201d Dods said.<\/p>\n

UH leaders: A foundation, not the finish line<\/h1>\n

UH President Wendy Hensel said the $5 million commitment provides an important starting point, while acknowledging broader support will be needed to sustain long-term success.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\u201cWe are deeply grateful to Bank of Hawai\u02bbi, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson, Jack Tsui and Walter Dods for stepping forward with this extraordinary commitment to our student-athletes and the future of UH M\u0101noa athletics,\u201d Hensel said.<\/p>\n

Elliott said UH M\u0101noa athletics plans to launch a new giving society later this year to recognize individuals and organizations supporting student-athletes and the department\u2019s long-term future.<\/p>\n

Read more Montana man charged, accused of threatening to kill Gov. Green<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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