The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 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).
 
UH Mānoa Athletics 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 level.
 
"College athletics has changed, and our objective is to adapt in a way that reflects the values of this university and this state," UH Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott said. "Our goal is to provide a stable, student-centered foundation that supports academic success, competitive excellence and responsible NIL program opportunities, while continuing to do our part through fundraising and community partnerships to ensure UH Mānoa Athletics remains 'Our Team. Hawaiʻi's Team.'"
 
UH is in the process of commissioning an economic impact study to evaluate the financial impact of Athletics on the state's economy. A 2015 report from the Shidler College of Business evaluated the impact of Athletics based on its $35M budget at the time. The study found that Athletics operations led to $66M in direct spending in the state, $128M in business sales, and generated $7M in tax collections. The total spending also created more than 860 jobs.
 
"Strategic investment in UH Mānoa Athletics ensures our student-athletes have the resources to succeed, while generating statewide benefits in leadership, community engagement and pride," UH President Wendy Hensel said. "Adequate funding allows us to sustain competitive programs, support students' development and uphold Hawaiʻi's presence on the national stage."
 
Investing in student-athlete success
 
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.
 
The proposal also includes $5 million to establish an institutional NIL program. As NIL compensation becomes a standard component of Division I athletics, the funding would help UH Mānoa to retain local talent, attract high-level student-athletes and ensure equitable, Title IX-compliant opportunities across sports.
 
"Name, image and likeness is no longer just about recruiting—it's about keeping the student-athletes we invest so much in," UH Mānoa women's basketball Head Coach Laura Beeman said. "We want young women to come to Hawaiʻi, grow here, earn their degrees and leave as seniors our community knows and is proud of. NIL allows us to recognize their value, support them responsibly and continue building a program that is about transformation, not transactions."
 
"In today's college football landscape, NIL has become essential to retaining and developing the student-athletes who choose to build their lives here," UH Mānoa football Head Coach Timmy Chang said. "These young men want to stay in Hawaiʻi, represent their home and be pillars in our community. Providing responsible NIL support allows us to keep the players we invest in and continue building a program that reflects the pride and values of this state."
 
Staffing stability is another focus of the request. UH Mānoa 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's existing $7.2 million annual state allocation.
 
In addition, UH Mānoa 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 standards are met while supporting student-athlete performance.
 
Targeted request in a tight budget climate
 
The initiative is one of two high-priority items in UH's $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's healthcare workforce and improve access to care across the islands.