University of Hawaiʻi to replace the fundraising and membership program for student athletes

A new fundraising and membership program has been designed to strengthen support for University of Hawaiʻi student-athletes while giving fans more flexibility in how they invest in the future of Hawaiʻi athletics.

Beginning July 1, 2027, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics Department, in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, is launching the ’Bows Athletics Club to replace the H-Club Athletic Fund and serve as the primary annual giving program for University of Hawaiʻi athletics.

While the new program officially launches in the 2027-28 season, 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 immediately.

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 streamlined system.

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

According to Miliana Sylvester, a middle blocker for the University of Hawaiʻi volleyball team, the support directly helps athletes, whether on or off the court, with recovery, resources, travel, and different scholarship and Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities.

“I think those are really important if we want to recruit the highest level of players as well as retain them and keep them here in Hawaiʻi,” Sylvester said. “I’ve had opportunities to use my Name, Image, and Likeness here in the community to run a clinic for foster youth, and so I think that’s another perspective of how it benefits the student-athletes for us to then benefit the community that serves us.”

At the University of Hawaiʻi, 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.

“The ’Bows Athletics Club is about making it easier for people to support University of Hawaiʻi athletics in the ways that matter most to them,” University of Hawaiʻi at 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.”

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

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, hospitality experiences, eligibility to purchase reserved parking, and other game day opportunities.

University of Hawaiʻi athletics will introduce 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 soon.

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 University of Hawaiʻi 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.

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.

Additional information about membership levels, benefits and giving opportunities is available through University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics website.