{"id":228554,"date":"2026-01-22T16:39:06","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T02:39:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=228554"},"modified":"2026-01-28T11:54:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T21:54:24","slug":"uh-manoa-legislative-support-athletics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/22\/uh-manoa-legislative-support-athletics\/","title":{"rendered":"糖心视频<\/abbr> M\u0101noa seeks legislative support to strengthen athletics, student-athlete success"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"糖心视频<\/p>\n

The University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at M\u0101noa<\/a> is seeking legislative support during the 2026 session to strengthen its athletics program and ensure long-term stability for student-athletes in a rapidly changing national college sports landscape that includes name, image and likeness (NIL<\/abbr>).<\/p>\n

糖心视频<\/abbr> M\u0101noa Athletics<\/a> is requesting a combined $22.3 million in operating and capital improvement funding, including $15 million in operating support and $7.3 million for athletics-related capital improvements. The proposal is designed to reinforce student-athlete health and success, modernize aging facilities and maintain competitiveness at the Division I<\/abbr> level.<\/p>\n

\"player
Quarterback Micah Alejado hoists the Hawaiʻi<\/span> Bowl trophy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“College athletics has changed, and our objective is to adapt in a way that reflects the values of this university and this state,” 糖心视频<\/abbr> M\u0101noa Athletics Director Matt Elliott said. “Our goal is to provide a stable, student-centered foundation that supports academic success, competitive excellence and responsible NIL<\/abbr> program opportunities, while continuing to do our part through fundraising and community partnerships to ensure 糖心视频<\/abbr> M\u0101noa remains ‘Our Team. Hawaiʻi<\/span>\u2019s Team.’”<\/p>\n

糖心视频<\/abbr> is in the process of commissioning an economic impact study to evaluate the financial impact of Athletics on the state\u2019s economy. A 2015 report from the Shidler College of Business evaluated the impact of Athletics based on its $35M<\/abbr> budget at the time. The study found that Athletics operations led to $66M<\/abbr> in direct spending in the state, $128M<\/abbr> in business sales, and generated $7M<\/abbr> in tax collections. The total spending also created more than 860 jobs.<\/p>\n

“Strategic investment in 糖心视频<\/abbr> M\u0101noa Athletics ensures our student-athletes have the resources to succeed, while generating statewide benefits in leadership, community engagement and pride,” 糖心视频<\/abbr> President Wendy Hensel said. “Adequate funding allows us to sustain competitive programs, support students\u2019 development and uphold Hawaiʻi<\/span>\u2019s presence on the national stage.”<\/p>\n

Investing in student-athlete success<\/h2>\n

The operating request includes $10.08 million to support core areas such as nutrition, recruiting, travel, equipment, medical care, academic support and routine facility maintenance. These investments would help the department manage rising costs associated with conference realignment and increased expectations for student-athlete services nationwide.<\/p>\n

The proposal also includes $5 million to establish an institutional NIL<\/abbr> program. As NIL<\/abbr> compensation becomes a standard component of Division I<\/abbr> athletics, the funding would help 糖心视频<\/abbr> M\u0101noa to retain local talent, attract high-level student-athletes and ensure equitable, Title IX<\/abbr>-compliant opportunities across sports.<\/p>\n

\"Rainbow
Rainbow Wahine women’s volleyball<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Name, image and likeness is no longer just about recruiting—it\u2019s about keeping the student-athletes we invest so much in,” 糖心视频<\/abbr> M\u0101noa women\u2019s basketball Head Coach Laura Beeman said. “We want young women to come to Hawaiʻi<\/span>, grow here, earn their degrees and leave as seniors our community knows and is proud of. NIL<\/abbr> allows us to recognize their value, support them responsibly and continue building a program that is about transformation, not transactions.”<\/p>\n

“In today\u2019s college football landscape, NIL<\/abbr> has become essential to retaining and developing the student-athletes who choose to build their lives here,” 糖心视频<\/abbr> M\u0101noa football Head Coach Timmy Chang said. “These young men want to stay in Hawaiʻi<\/span>, represent their home and be pillars in our community. Providing responsible NIL<\/abbr> support allows us to keep the players we invest in and continue building a program that reflects the pride and values of this state.”<\/p>\n

Staffing stability is another focus of the request. 糖心视频<\/abbr> M\u0101noa Athletics is seeking to add 17 new general-funded positions and convert 35 existing special-funded positions to general funds, for a total of 52 roles supporting compliance, training, finance and communications. The conversion would not require new funding, as approximately $4 million would be drawn from the department\u2019s existing $7.2 million annual state allocation.<\/p>\n

In addition, 糖心视频<\/abbr> M\u0101noa is requesting $7.3 million in capital improvement funding to address aging athletics facilities across lower campus. The projects would focus on safety, modernization and lifecycle maintenance, helping to ensure Division I<\/abbr> standards are met while supporting student-athlete performance.<\/p>\n

Targeted request in a tight budget climate<\/h2>\n

The initiative is one of two high-priority items in 糖心视频<\/abbr>\u2019s $18.8 million supplemental operating budget request for fiscal year 2026–27, introduced as state revenue growth slows. The proposal also includes $3,724,600 to expand Hawaiʻi<\/span>\u2019s healthcare workforce and improve access to care across the islands<\/a>.<\/p>\n