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Community leaders pledge $5 million to University of Hawaii athletics

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 11, 2026, 4:07 PM

Last updated Jun 11, 2026

College Sports

Summary

Walter Dods Jr. and Jack Tsui are spearheading a $5 million fundraising effort for the University of Hawaii's NIL funds. Each will donate $1 million over five years, and they secured similar pledges from major local businesses: Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Bank, and Matson shipping. The intention is to cover direct payments to players across UH's 21 sports, with the first million already in place for the upcoming academic year. UH president Wendy Hensel and athletic director Matt Elliott are optimistic this initiative will encourage further support, especially after recent legislative efforts to fund NIL opportunities were rejected.

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By the Numbers

•Dods and Tsui donate $1 million each over five years.
•Five entities are collaborating to contribute $5 million total.
•Funds will support NIL payments for 21 UH sports.
•First million secured for the academic year starting July 1.
•Legislators previously rejected measures to fund UH's NIL efforts.

Latest Updates

4:07 PMYahoo Sports — Community leaders step up for UH athletics

What they're saying

"
In a long business career, Walter Dods Jr.’s latest venture is monitoring the evolving NCAA landscape. He watched as student-athletes were granted the right to benefit from use of their name, image and likeness. He followed the aftermath of the House vs. NCAA settlement in which former players were allowed to be paid retroactively for missed NIL opportunities. He learned each Division I school ...
— Yahoo Sports

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