The , in partnership with the , has launched the Shoji Society, a new leadership giving society designed to recognize transformational philanthropy and inspire long-term investment in the future of Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine Athletics.

Named in honor of legendary women’s volleyball head coach Dave Shoji, the Shoji Society recognizes individuals and organizations making significant commitments to UH Athletics and the success of its student-athletes. Membership begins with a minimum pledge of $50,000 over up to five years and supports the Our Team, �鶹��ý’s Team Fund and/or the Boost the ’Bows Fund at the department or team level, through endowments, naming opportunities or capital projects.

The Shoji Society serves as the major giving component of the newly launched , which provides opportunities for supporters at all giving levels to invest in UH Athletics. Together, the programs create a comprehensive philanthropic framework that recognizes both broad community support and transformational leadership investments.

The Shoji Society launches with 10 charter members whose leadership commitments or lifetime giving of $1 million or more are helping establish a strong foundation for the future of UH Athletics. Waterhouse Charitable Trust, the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation, the Dr. Alvin and Monica Saake Foundation, Rie Wong and the Edwin S.N. Wong Foundation, Bank of �鶹��ý, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson, Jack and Frances Tsui, Walter Dods and Gabe and Shirley Lee have collectively committed over $38,300,000 over 46 years to strengthen opportunities for UH Mānoa student-athletes and help position UH Athletics for long-term success.

The launch comes at a pivotal time in college athletics as philanthropy and name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities play an increasingly important role in helping universities recruit, retain and support student-athletes. As the Division I landscape continues to evolve, long-term philanthropic investment has become essential to maintaining competitive athletics programs and providing student-athletes with the resources they need to succeed in the classroom, in competition and beyond.

“The Shoji Society represents the next step in building a sustainable future for UH Athletics,” UH Mānoa Director of Athletics Matt Elliott said. “We are incredibly grateful for the individuals and organizations whose generosity and belief in our student-athletes make this possible. College athletics has changed, and long-term philanthropic investment is essential to providing our student-athletes with the opportunities and resources they need to succeed. The Shoji Society recognizes those whose commitment will have a lasting impact on �鶹��ý Athletics for generations.”

Few individuals embody the spirit of UH Athletics more than Shoji. During his 42-year career, he built one of the most successful programs in collegiate volleyball history, leading the Rainbow Wahine to four national championships and more than 1,200 victories. Just as importantly, he inspired generations of supporters to invest in UH Athletics, helping generate more than $1.3 million in philanthropic support for student-athlete scholarships and program needs during his coaching tenure.

After discussions with UH Athletics leadership, Shoji personally approved the use of his name for the society, recognizing the important role philanthropy now plays in supporting student-athletes and the future success of UH Athletics.

“I am deeply humbled that my name is associated with such a meaningful initiative,” Shoji said. “What has always made UH Athletics special is the incredible support from our community. Today’s student-athletes face a very different landscape than they did when I was coaching, and philanthropy has become an important part of helping them compete at the highest level while earning a world-class education. I hope this inspires more people to invest in the future of UH Athletics.”

The Shoji Society is the first major giving society in UH Athletics history to be named in honor of an individual, recognizing Shoji’s extraordinary contributions to the university, its student-athletes and the broader �鶹��ý community.

“Coach Shoji’s success was never measured solely by wins and championships,” Elliott said. “He built a culture of excellence, inspired people to believe in our student-athletes and brought our community together in support of UH Athletics. The Shoji Society honors that legacy while helping ensure future generations of student-athletes have the opportunity to achieve their own success.”

Shoji Society giving levels

Donors are recognized across four Shoji Society giving levels based on cumulative commitments: $50,000, $250,000, $500,000 and $1 million. Each level may be achieved through qualifying multiyear pledge commitments over five years.

Shoji Society members receive recognition and engagement opportunities commensurate with their level of support, including exclusive events, access to athletics leadership and coaches, gameday experiences and other stewardship opportunities. More importantly, their investments help provide scholarships, NIL opportunities, student-athlete development resources, facility enhancements and other priorities that directly impact the student-athlete experience.

For its inaugural year, donors who contributed at least $50,000 during fiscal year 2025–26 will receive honorary Shoji Society status through June 30, 2027, with continued membership determined by a qualifying pledge commitment.

For more information about the Shoji Society, .

The , in partnership with the , is launching the ’Bows Athletics Club, a new fundraising and membership program designed to strengthen support for UH student-athletes while giving fans more flexibility in how they invest in the future of �鶹��ý Athletics.

Beginning July 1, 2027, the ’Bows Athletics Club will replace the H-Club Athletic Fund and serve as the primary annual giving program for UH Athletics. While the new program officially launches in 2027–28, contributions and pledges made between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027 will count toward ’Bows Athletics Club membership status and benefits, allowing supporters to begin earning membership status and benefits now.

Supporters can begin participating and earning membership status today

The new model allows supporters to direct their gifts to the teams, programs and student-athlete initiatives they care about most while earning benefits and recognition through a single, streamlined system.

The launch comes at a pivotal time for college athletics. As programs across the country navigate rapid changes in recruiting, student-athlete support and competition, private philanthropy is playing an increasingly important role in helping universities provide opportunities and resources for student-athletes to succeed.

At UH, support through the ’Bows Athletics Club will help fund resources that directly impact nearly 500 Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine student-athletes, including academic support services, nutrition programs, equipment, travel, training resources and other initiatives that contribute to success in competition, the classroom and the community.

For generations, Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine teams have united �鶹��ý. The ’Bows Athletics Club creates a new opportunity for fans, alumni and supporters statewide to invest in the success of UH student-athletes and help ensure a strong future for �鶹��ý Athletics.

“The ’Bows Athletics Club is about making it easier for people to support UH Athletics in the ways that matter most to them,” UH Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott said. “Whether you’ve been a supporter for years or you’re making your very first gift, every contribution helps create opportunities for our student-athletes. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported UH Athletics over the years, and we hope even more people will join us as we continue building Our Team, �鶹��ý‘s Team.”

The program aligns UH Athletics with best practice fundraising models used by Division I athletics programs across the country while providing greater flexibility and transparency for donors.

’Bows Athletics Club membership benefits

Membership levels begin at $100 and are based on total annual giving. Supporters who contribute at least $100 to an individual sport also become members of that team’s booster club.

Depending on their giving level, members may receive benefits such as priority access to postseason tickets, invitations to exclusive events (including unique merchandise opportunities), hospitality experiences, eligibility to purchase reserved parking and other gameday opportunities. UH Athletics will be introducing additional member benefits over time, including exclusive merchandise opportunities available only to club members.

Annual Giving Membership levels include:

Booster $100

All-Conference: $500

All-American: $2,000

Champion: $5,000+

Donors who contribute $10,000 or more annually will receive additional recognition and status, with details to be announced in the days to come.

Loyalty points system rewards long-term support

A new loyalty points system that will complement the ’Bows Athletics Club recognizes both longtime supporters and new members. Points are earned through charitable giving, season ticket purchases and years of loyalty to UH Athletics.

The system will help determine priority access to postseason tickets, future ticket and seat relocation opportunities, and future seat selection opportunities at the new Aloha Stadium. While ’Bows Athletics Club annual membership levels are based on giving during the previous academic year, loyalty points recognize long-term support by incorporating eligible contributions and season ticket history dating back to 2001.

Early participation benefits

2026–27 H-Club members will automatically receive All-Conference status during the ’Bows Athletics Club inaugural 2027–28 academic year, ensuring a smooth transition as supporters become familiar with the new program.

Fans, alumni and supporters are encouraged to become part of the ’Bows Athletics Club and help support the next generation of Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine student-athletes.

Additional information about membership levels, benefits and giving opportunities is available through .

For more, .

This announcement comes as UH Athletics is celebrating a historic 2025–26 season heading into the 2026–27 season. Milestones from last year include:

• Men’s volleyball captured its third national championship in six years, cementing the Rainbow Warriors’ place among the nation’s elite programs.
• Men’s basketball won its first Big West Championship in a decade and returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 10 years.
• Football capped a 9-4 season with a �鶹��ý Bowl championship, giving the Rainbow Warriors their third consecutive bowl victory.
• UH teams combined for five Big West championships, including titles in men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s basketball and women’s water polo.
• Kansei Matsuzawa became the first consensus All-American in the 109-year history of UH football, adding another milestone to a season filled with historic accomplishments.
• UH Athletics enters a new era with continuity and new leadership, with contract extensions for football coach Timmy Chang, baseball coach Rich Hill and men’s basketball coach Eran Ganot, as well as the addition of Laura Beeman to the senior leadership team as associate athletics director for student-athlete success.

The University of �鶹��ý at Hilo ranked No. 23 for team GPA across all NCAA Division II women’s golf programs for the 2025–26 school year, with a 3.681 GPA.

The achievement for the 2025–26 school year was announced by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association.

The 2025–26 Pacific West Conference Champions were the only PacWest Conference team to land inside this year’s top 25, and also placed No. 23 in last year’s rankings.

2025–26 UH Hilo women’s golf honorees

• Kieran Florino
• Kiara Kimata
• Trinity Ledgerwood
• Kailee McKee
• Elle Otani
• Kiersten Saludares
• Jaylen Wan
• Erica Yokomoto

Read more at .

Just over a year after becoming University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s athletics director, Matt Elliott said the department’s greatest accomplishments aren’t measured only by championships or fundraising records. They are measured by the opportunities created for nearly 500 student-athletes.

Since officially taking the helm on June 30, 2025, Elliott has overseen one of the most successful years in history, while laying the foundation for what he believes is an even stronger future.

“This first year has really reinforced what makes UH Athletics special,” Elliott said. “Our student-athletes inspire us every day with the way they compete, represent our university and serve our community. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see so many people across �鶹��ý rally behind them, and that’s something we want to continue building.”

A record-setting year

The 2025–26 season featured milestones on and off the field. Rainbow Warrior volleyball captured the program’s third NCAA championship in six years, men’s basketball won its first Big West Tournament title in a decade to earn an NCAA Tournament berth, football capped a 9-4 season with a Sheraton �鶹��ý Bowl victory, and UH teams combined for five Big West championships.

Beyond competition, UH Mānoa Athletics recorded a historic fiscal year. Preliminary figures show the department raised a record $13.2 million—more than tripling the previous year’s total and surpassing the department’s previous fundraising record. Community support also reached new heights with more than 7,300 gifts during the fiscal year, while licensing revenue approached $930,000, another department record.

Momentum continued this summer with five �鶹��ý business and community leaders committing $5 million over five years to strengthen name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities for UH student-athletes, helping the department recruit and retain talent in an increasingly competitive college athletics landscape.

“Our responsibility is to create an environment where student-athletes can thrive academically, athletically and personally,” Elliott said. “That means investing in the people, resources and opportunities that help them succeed while making sure they have an unforgettable experience representing the University of �鶹��ý.”

Positioning UH Athletics for long-term success

The department also expanded access for fans through several major media initiatives. Last fall, UH eliminated pay-per-view for Rainbow Warrior football broadcasts, making games more accessible statewide, while adding broadcasts in Japan. Beginning this season, a new four-year media rights partnership with �鶹��ý News Now will bring more than 110 home events annually to K5, moving local broadcasts from a subscription-based cable model to free, statewide television distribution. In addition, the new Mountain West’s MW+ streaming platform will carry more than 200 UH events worldwide. Revenue generated through �鶹��ý subscriptions to MW+ will also directly benefit UH Athletics.

Those changes coincide with another significant milestone as UH officially joined the Mountain West as a full member on July 1, positioning most Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine programs in a new conference beginning this season.

Elliott has also reshaped the department’s leadership, hiring new women’s basketball coach Khalilah Mitchell and Rainbow Wahine volleyball head coach Joshua Walker, while adding former women’s basketball coach Laura Beeman to the senior leadership team as associate athletics director for student-athlete success. Contract extensions for football coach Timmy Chang, baseball coach Rich Hill and men’s basketball coach Eran Ganot have also helped provide continuity heading into the new conference era.

Looking ahead, Elliott said enhancing the student-athlete experience, strengthening community partnerships and continuing to grow support for UH Athletics remain his top priorities.

“We’ve made real progress over the past year, but we’re just getting started to navigate a new era of college athletics,” Elliott said. “As we begin this chapter in the Mountain West, we’re focused on creating even more opportunities for our student-athletes and our fans. ‘Our Team, �鶹��ý’s Team’ is more than a slogan. It’s a commitment to bringing our community together and building a program the entire state can be proud of.”

The University of �鶹��ý at Hilo team earned the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Team Academic Excellence Award for the 2025–26 season. Individually, the team placed six student-athletes on the NABC Honors Court.

This year’s NABC honors court honorees are Charles Higby Jr., Fabio Da Rocha, Isaiah Hinds, Jamal Entezami, Julio Montes II and Telryn Villa.

NABC Team Academic Excellence Award recognizes programs with a team GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The NABC Honors Court includes junior, senior and graduate student men’s basketball players who finished the year with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.

Read more at .

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa women’s golfer Chloe Ku was selected to the All-American Scholar Team announced by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA).

Ku completed her freshman season in 2025–26 and ranked fourth on the team with a 77.25 scoring average, competing in eight tournaments.

Ku is the first Rainbow Wahine to receive WGCA All-American Scholar honors since three were honored in 2022–23.

The criteria for selection to the All-American Scholar Team are some of the most stringent in all of college athletics with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 and having played in 50 percent of the team’s competitive rounds.

Learn more at

Three University of �鶹��ý at Hilo golfers were named to the 2025–26 Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar Team.

The awardees were: Trinity Ledgerwood, Kailee McKee, Elle Otani, Kiersten Saludares and Jaylen Wan.

To qualify, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, have amateur status, remain on the team’s roster through the conclusion of the season and participate in 50% of the college’s regularly scheduled competitive rounds during the year through the team’s conference championship.

A total of 1,551 women’s collegiate golfers were nationally recognized with this honor.

Read more at .

University of �鶹��ý at Hilo student-athletes achieved a record-high 3.37 combined grade point average (GPA) during the 2025–26 academic year, surpassing last year’s department record of 3.32 across the university’s 12 varsity sports.

“I’m incredibly proud of our student-athletes for setting a new standard of academic excellence this past year,” UH Hilo Director of Athletics Patrick Guillen said. “They prove every single day that championship performance happens both in competition and in the classroom.”

Women’s golf and women’s soccer were named the department’s Ramon Goya Academic Teams of the Year for posting the highest team GPAs in individual and team sports, respectively.

The Vulcans also ranked among the Pacific West Conference’s academic leaders, with women’s cross country (3.64), softball (3.50) and men’s golf (3.46) each finishing in the top three in their respective sports.

UH Hilo placed 172 student-athletes on the Academic All-PacWest Team, recognizing those who earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

For more information, visit the .

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa men’s basketball team has earned the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Team Academic Excellence Award for the third consecutive year, recognizing the program’s success in the classroom.

The Rainbow Warriors posted a combined 3.20 team GPA during the 2025–26 academic year, surpassing the 3.0 GPA required to receive the annual honor.

A school-record seven student-athletes also earned NABC Honors Court recognition: Dre Bullock, Tanner Cuff, Isaac Finlinson, Isaac Johnson, Isaiah Kerr, Gytis Nemeikša and Harry Rouhliadeff. Kerr led the group with a 3.90 GPA, while Nemeikša and Rouhliadeff received the honor for the second straight year.

The program also earned a perfect single-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) score of 1,000 for the fourth time under head coach Eran Ganot. UH recorded a multi-year APR of 988, exceeding the NCAA postseason benchmark and improving by 16 points from the previous year.

For more information, visit the .

A total of 172 University of �鶹��ý at Hilo student-athletes have been named to the 2025–26 Pacific West Conference Academic All-PacWest Team, recognizing their success in the classroom while competing in collegiate athletics.

Eight Vulcans finished the academic year with a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average. Juniors Brandon Wada (baseball) and Lauren Otsubo (softball) were joined by first-year student-athletes Harley Acosta (softball), Johan Bjorken (men’s golf), Jeydon Moises (baseball), Everett Roach (women’s basketball), Johanna Roggenkamp (women’s tennis) and Ella Smith (women’s soccer).

To qualify for Academic All-PacWest honors, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, complete at least two semesters at their institution and be eligible to compete during the regular season, including redshirt student-athletes.

The conference honored 2,700 student-athletes across its 13 member institutions, setting a new conference record with an average of 208 honorees per school.

For the complete list of UH Hilo’s 2025–26 Academic All-PacWest honorees, visit the.

Eight members of the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa swimming and diving teams earned recognition on the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America’s (CSCAA) Scholar-America Team for the 2025–26 season.

Two Rainbow Wahine earned First Team honors, and five earned Second Team honors. One Rainbow Warrior earned Second Team honors.

Rainbow Wahine honorees:

• Lovisa Gustavsson (First Team)
• Holly Nelson (First Team)
• Keira Chandler (Second Team)
• Avery Coates (Second Team)
• Macie Wheeler (Second Team)
• Carlotta Ingernerf (Second Team)
• Ruby Pickron (Second Team)

Rainbow Warrior honoree:

• Oliver Wignall (Second Team)

To qualify for First-Team Scholar All-America, student-athletes must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher and participate in their national championship. Second-team selections also must have a 3.5 GPA and meet specific time standards for the national championship, or qualify for the zone qualification meet.

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A total of 77 University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa student-athletes earned Academic All-Big West honors during the 2026 spring season. The sports included are baseball, beach volleyball, men’s golf, women’s golf, softball, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, women’s track and field, men’s volleyball and women’s water polo.

The track and field team led all UH Mānoa teams with 18 honorees, followed by softball (12), water polo (12) and baseball (10).

To be quality, student athletes must maintain a 3.0 GPA, complete one full year at the member institution and compete in at least 50% of their team’s contests (with some exceptions based on sport).

To see the full list of athletes, visit .

Six University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa women’s student-athletes were named to the 2025–26 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, recognizing their achievements in both academics and athletics.

The honorees are:

• Rose Forshaw
• Isabella Kneeshaw
• Catherine Touchette
• Lilian Turban
• Samaria Vital
• Tara Wyllie

This marks the fourth consecutive year that UH Mānoa has had the maximum number of student-athletes recognized on the Academic All-District Team.

Among the recipients, Turban earned the honor for the fourth time in her career, while Wyllie received her third selection. Forshaw and Touchette each earned the recognition for the second time, and Kneeshaw and Vital were first-time honorees.

The six student-athletes helped lead the Rainbow Wahine to another successful season, highlighted by conference championships, school records and NCAA postseason appearances. Turban earned UH Mānoa’s 2026 Jack Bonham Award, Vital and Wyllie advanced to the NCAA first round, and Kneeshaw broke her own program record in the indoor 400 meters.

The CSC Academic All-District program honors student-athletes who excel both in competition and in the classroom. Honorees advance to the national Academic All-America ballot.

Guided by new leadership and competing under a unifying theme, the produced a historic 2025–26 season highlighted by championship moments, including a statewide celebration of a national title.

“Our Team, �鶹��ý’s Team” was introduced shortly after Matt Elliott’s appointment as athletics director in June 2025, and UH teams delivered moments that resonated throughout the state over the course of the sports calendar.

A Christmas Eve miracle to capture the �鶹��ý Bowl title highlighted the fall season and the men’s basketball team claimed the program’s first Big West Championship title and accompanying NCAA Tournament appearance in a decade in March 2026. UH dominated in the pool with the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams sweeping the Big West championships while the Rainbow Wahine water polo team went undefeated in conference play for a third straight year.

The Rainbow Warrior volleyball team then asserted its claim to dynastic status by capturing the program’s third national championship within the last six years. The title run included the program’s first NCAA Tournament match on its home court at a sold-out Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center and concluded with rousing victories over Long Beach State and UC Irvine.

Along the way from the soccer team’s opener in mid-August through the NCAA Track and Field First Round in late May, UH student-athletes continued to rack up national and conference honors, including Kansei Matsuzawa becoming the first consensus All-American in the football program’s 109 years of competition.

The department also bid aloha to three longtime coaches with Robyn Ah Mow (women’s volleyball), Laura Beeman (women’s basketball) and Andy Johnson (sailing) stepping away from their roles. The 2025–26 campaign also marked the farewell season to the Big West for 14 teams before joining the UH football team in the Mountain West effective July 1.

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Four University of �鶹��ý at Hilo golfers have been named to the 2025–26 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, recognizing their success in the classroom and on the course.

The honorees are:

• Jacob Torres (ʻAiea)—senior, chemistry–health sciences
• Kailee McKee (Kapolei)—sophomore, communication
• Elle Otani (Hilo)—senior, accounting and business administration
• Kiersten Saludares (Hilo)—senior, business administration

The CSC Academic All-District program recognizes student-athletes for combined excellence in academics and athletics. Honorees advance to the national Academic All-America ballot.

For more information, visit the .

Ten University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa student-athletes have been named to the 2026 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic At-Large All-District Team, honoring their achievements in the classroom and in competition.

The CSC Academic At-Large All-District Team recognizes student-athletes who maintain at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA while serving as starters or key contributors for their teams.

The 2026 UH honorees are:

• Gabrielle Doyle, women’s water polo
• Quintin Greenidge, men’s volleyball
• Julia Lawrenz, women’s beach volleyball
• Daisy Logtens, women’s water polo
• Raha Peiravani, women’s water polo
• Roni Perlman, women’s water polo
• Sydney Miller, women’s beach volleyball
• Nathan Szpakowicz, men’s golf
• Dane Watanabe, men’s golf
• James Whitworth, men’s golf

Several of the student-athletes also earned conference and national recognition during the 2026 season, including All-America honors, All-Big West selections and NCAA championship appearances.

The CSC Academic All-District program recognizes student-athletes who excel both academically and athletically and advances eligible honorees to consideration for Academic All-America honors.

For more information, visit the

Two University of �鶹��ý at Hilo baseball student-athletes have been named to the 2026 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, recognizing their combined success in academics and athletics.

Junior communication majors Noah Darnell of Phoenix, Arizona, and Hunter Gatti of Riverton, Utah, earned the honor for the 2026 season.

The CSC Academic All-District program recognizes student-athletes who maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher while making significant contributions to their team’s success during the season.

Academic All-District honorees advance to the national CSC Academic All-America ballot, where student-athletes are considered for additional recognition based on their academic and athletic achievements.

For more information, visit the .

Five prominent �鶹��ý donors and organizations are making a transformative $5-million commitment to the via the to support name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities for student-athletes and help ensure the long-term success and national relevance of UH Mānoa Athletics.

The commitment will provide $1 million annually over the next five years for NIL support, helping UH Mānoa retain homegrown talent, recruit high-level student-athletes and provide equitable, Title IX-compliant opportunities across sports in an increasingly competitive Division I athletics environment. It will also strengthen a program that generates statewide pride, visibility and meaningful economic impact for �鶹��ý.

The five contributors, each committing $200,000 annually for five years, are Bank of �鶹��ý, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson, and longtime UH supporters and community leaders Jack Tsui and Walter Dods.

“This extraordinary commitment reflects something that has always made �鶹��ý special: people who deeply believe in UH and understand the important role athletics plays in bringing our community together,” said UH Mānoa Director of Athletics Matt Elliott. “College athletics has changed, and our objective is to adapt in a way that reflects the values of this university and our state. Our goal is to build a stable, student-centered foundation that supports academic success, competitive excellence and responsible NIL opportunities while ensuring UH Mānoa remains ‘Our Team, �鶹��ý’s Team.’”

Changing college athletics landscape

As NIL compensation has become a standard component of Division I athletics nationwide, universities across the country—including every member of the Mountain West Conference, which UH Mānoa will officially join as a full member on July 1—have committed significant resources to support student-athletes. University leaders estimate UH Mānoa needs approximately $5 million annually in NIL support to remain competitive in the Mountain West and on the national stage.

UH Athletics has united �鶹��ý communities during moments of triumph in just the last year—from the men’s volleyball national championship and men’s basketball’s return to the NCAA Tournament after winning the Big West title, to football’s thrilling �鶹��ý Bowl victory 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.

University leaders say those moments of shared pride underscore the broader value athletics brings to �鶹��ý: creating connection, visibility and economic impact beyond campus. A 2015 study by the UH Mānoa 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 approximately $7 million in tax revenue and supported more than 860 jobs across �鶹��ý. An updated economic impact study evaluating the department’s current contribution to the state economy is nearing completion and expected by the end of August.

Beyond its statewide impact, athletics creates meaningful educational opportunities, with nearly 500 student-athletes participating in UH Mānoa programs and more than 170 degrees earned by student-athletes last year.

�鶹��ý leaders unite behind UH Athletics

The donors said they recognize college athletics has fundamentally changed and believe �鶹��ý must adapt to ensure local student-athletes can continue representing their home state at the highest levels. Several said broader support—from the private sector, community and eventually the state—will be needed to ensure UH remains competitive nationally.

Longtime UH Athletics partner Jim Polk, president and chief executive officer of Bank of �鶹��ý, said the new commitment builds on the bank’s longstanding support for UH student-athletes and the broader university community.

“Bank of �鶹��ý 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,” Polk said. “This commitment builds on that longstanding partnership and helps ensure UH student-athletes have the resources to succeed in a changing collegiate athletics environment. UH student-athletes represent the best of �鶹��ý, and supporting them strengthens opportunities for young people while fostering pride across our state.”

Bob Harrison, chairman, president and chief executive officer of First Hawaiian Bank, said the university’s athletics program represents �鶹��ý in ways that extend far beyond wins and losses.

“First Hawaiian Bank has long supported the University of �鶹��ý because of the important role it plays in developing future leaders and strengthening our communities,” Harrison said. “Athletics is an important part of the university experience, creating opportunities for student-athletes while helping foster pride, engagement and visibility for the university. We are proud to support UH and invest in the success of its student-athletes, helping create opportunities for them to grow as leaders while representing our university and our state.”

Matt Cox, chairman and CEO of Matson, said creating a competitive NIL program at UH is needed to help keep local student athletes in �鶹��ý.

“University of �鶹��ý is a pillar of our community, and it’s critical that it remains competitive at the highest levels,” Cox said. “Today, that requires establishing a strong NIL foundation that will help UH attract and retain top local talent, and we need to start now.”

Jack Tsui, longtime UH supporter and chair of the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation and former First Hawaiian Bank president said that the private sector has an important role to play in assisting the UH athletics department to continue to be competitive.

“My wife Frances and I are honored to participate in the fundraising project for NIL,” said Tsui. “We 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.”

Walter Dods, former chief executive officer of First Hawaiian Bank and one of the university’s most prolific philanthropic supporters, said the changing landscape of college athletics requires �鶹��ý to act.

“People can certainly have different opinions about whether college athletes should be compensated, but the reality is already here,” Dods said. “Every school we compete against is investing in NIL, and if we want �鶹��ý teams to remain competitive and our student-athletes to stay home, then we—the state, the private sector and the broader community—need to step up in some way. We understand the pressures on the Legislature and that everyone is asking for support. That is part of why the five of us decided to act now and help create a foundation others can build on.”

Building a foundation for the future

Without a stable NIL foundation, UH leaders say the university risks losing local talent, widening recruiting gaps and falling behind in a rapidly evolving Division I athletics landscape.

UH President Wendy Hensel said the $5-million commitment provides an important foundation for UH Mānoa Athletics, while emphasizing that broader support will ultimately be needed to sustain long-term success.

“We are deeply grateful to Bank of �鶹��ý, 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 Mānoa Athletics,” Hensel said. “College athletics has fundamentally changed, and this investment helps ensure UH can continue to retain �鶹��ý student-athletes and remain competitive while creating benefits that extend well beyond campus—from student success and statewide pride to the significant economic impact for our state.”

Elliott said the commitment represents a strong start, but emphasized continued investment will be critical to building long-term success.

“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, compete at a high level and continue creating opportunities for student-athletes who want to stay home, earn their degrees and represent �鶹��ý the right way.”

Elliott added that UH Mānoa Athletics plans to launch a new giving society later this year to honor the individuals and organizations helping strengthen opportunities for student-athletes and support the department’s long-term future.

“The five leadership commitments announced today serve as an inspiring foundation for the giving society and underscore the momentum building for Our Team, �鶹��ý’s Team.”

Joshua Walker was announced as the fourth head coach of the on June 5 by University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott. Walker, an All-American as a student-athlete and national championship-winning assistant coach for the Rainbow Warrior volleyball team, returns to his alma mater to take the helm of the women’s program.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Joshua Walker back to the University of �鶹��ý to lead our Rainbow Wahine volleyball program,” said Elliott. “Joshua embodies the very best of �鶹��ý volleyball tradition and knows firsthand what it takes to win at the highest level here. His deep roots in our community, combined with his proven championship pedigree as an athlete and coach, and passion for his alma mater, make him the perfect person to lead this program. This is a homecoming, and we couldn’t be more excited that Joshua, Tehane, and their beautiful ʻohana are coming back to the islands.”

Walker comes back to UH following a successful tenure at Baylor, where he joined the staff as an assistant coach in spring 2022 before being promoted to associate head coach in February 2023.

“I feel extremely blessed and thankful for this opportunity,” said Walker. “I’d like to thank Matt for all his diligence in making this happen, and (UH President) Wendy Hensel for her support. I’d also like to thank my wife, the rest of my family, and friends who have helped me be ready for this opportunity. �鶹��ý has been home for a while, but I love that it gets to be our workplace again. I’m excited to get going and will work to make this program truly one of a kind.”

During his time at Baylor, Walker played an integral role in steering the Bears to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, extending their streak to 10 consecutive tournaments by the 2025 season. In addition to his collegiate coaching success, Walker has gained valuable international experience serving as an assistant coach for USA Volleyball’s women’s team.

Walker is best known to �鶹��ý fans for his extensive and decorated history with the Rainbow Warrior men’s volleyball program in which he was both an All-American player and national assistant coach of the year selection.

As a student-athlete from 2006 to 2011, Walker was an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American and a two-time All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation standout. He was a consistent leader on the court, finishing his four-year career with 1,428 kills (3.91 kills per set), which ranks fifth in program history. He graduated from UH with a bachelor’s degree in English in 2011.

Following an impressive professional playing career with Team USA and overseas in the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Denmark, and Finland—where he earned MVP and All-Star honors—Walker returned to UH Mānoa in 2016 to begin his collegiate coaching career under head coach Charlie Wade.

During his seven seasons as an assistant coach for the UH Mānoa men’s program, Walker helped transform the team into a national powerhouse. He accumulated a stellar 149-36 record on staff and helped guide the Warriors to back-to-back NCAA national championships in 2021 and 2022. His coaching prowess was recognized nationally in 2019 when he became the first UH assistant to be named the AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year.

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The announced that it has selected Hawaii News Now (HNN) as its official broadcast partner. The four-year agreement, which begins July 1, 2026, marks a major shift in how fans across the islands will access UH Mānoa sports, moving the primary home for local broadcasts from a subscription-based cable model to free, statewide television distribution and expanding how and where fans can watch UH Mānoa sports.

The partnership returns UH Mānoa Athletics to its original broadcast home, K5, which served as the “Home Team” for UH Mānoa sports for nearly two decades beginning in 1994, will once again serve as the primary home for live games, original programming, and year-round coverage of the ‘Bows. The expanded distribution of K5 will make UH Mānoa sports more accessible than ever to fans across the islands.

K5 broadcasts will also be available nationally through the new Mountain West app, significantly expanding access to Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine athletics beyond �鶹��ý. More information on how to subscribe to this service will be forthcoming. In addition to HNN’s 110-game broadcast schedule, dozens of additional UH Mānoa events will be available through the app via productions led by UH Mānoa Athletics. HNN and UH will also explore opportunities to showcase select campus productions across HNN stations.

By leveraging HNN’s broad statewide reach across K5, KGMB (CBS) and KHNL (NBC/Telemundo), UH Mānoa Athletics will significantly expand access to its programs across �鶹��ý, nearly doubling the number of television households able to watch local broadcasts of the ‘Bows. Beyond the islands, Gray Media’s (HNN’s parent company) national footprint will create new opportunities to showcase UH Mānoa Athletics through special programming distributed to audiences across the country.

“This partnership is about maximizing exposure for our programs and ensuring every fan in �鶹��ý and beyond can watch our games,” said UH Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott. “Over-the-air broadcast television is the ideal platform for the ‘Our Team, �鶹��ý‘s Team’ theme and will make it easier than ever for our community to connect with our student-athletes. This level of reach is vital for the growth of our brand and our future success.”

As the official broadcast partner of UH Mānoa Athletics, HNN has committed to broadcasting a minimum of 110 home sporting events per year, including all available football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s volleyball and women’s volleyball games, plus broadcasts of baseball, softball and women’s soccer.

The agreement represents an estimated annual partnership value of approximately $7.5 million, reflecting a model designed to create broader long-term value for UH Mānoa Athletics rather than a traditional rights-fee model. The partnership includes expanded statewide access, significantly more televised events, year-round storytelling and promotion, student development opportunities, initiatives that support NIL community value for student-athletes, and shared revenue opportunities tied to campus productions and the Warrior FAST Channel.

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