Stephen Tsai: Hawaii has many goals as it joins MWC full-time

Stephen Tsai: Hawaii has many goals as it joins MWC full-time Thursday, July 09, 2026 12:05 am University of Hawaii athletics logo.

By Stephen Tsai Honolulu Star-Advertiser Share this story During a church sermon, the parishioners were asked to create a pie chart of their life on a paper plate.

During a church sermon, the parishioners were asked to create a pie chart of their life on a paper plate.

Past accomplishments were written in the slices.

For the final slice, they wrote their remaining goals.

ADVERTISING As an old flatulence, this 65-year-old reporters final slice was narrow.

But the University of Hawaii athletic department, only seven days into full partnership with the Mountain West, has a wide slice remaining to accomplish many goals.

1.

Our favorite means of transportation is the bandwagon.

It is why grown men stand in line to buy a pack of Pokemon cards.

It is why many have tested positive for futbol fever the past month.

Hawaii has tried to capitalize on the sport.

Team Hawaii played one season in the NASL, drawing more than 12,000 for a 1977 match against the New York Cosmos at Aloha Stadium.

Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and George Best made appearances here.

The semi-pro Hawaii Tsunami gave it a shot, with most matches at Kaiser High School.

But now it appears the UH womens soccer team can benefit from the high interest, especially because the FIFA Womens World Cup will be played next summer in Brazil.

What UH needs to do is find a way to rent or buy a scoreboard, lights and seats to play matches at its on-campus soccer complex.

Except for the alumni game, the rest of the 2027 home matches will be played at the Waipio Soccer Complex.

There are only 2,520 dorm students, according to recent survey, and most will have other plans.

But it will feel special to have a match on campus as a way to grow the sport locally.

2.

In this college era of conference movements, UH should undergo corrective surgery on a wandering eye.

For nearly six decades, UH has been intrigued about the possibility of a better life ..

somewhere else.

When it was an independent, it was hoped the construction of Aloha Stadium would lead to membership in the Western Athletic Conference.

After the 20th year in the WAC, UH leaders had hurt feelings when eight members seceded to form the Mountain West in 1999.

And after UH finally was admitted into the Mountain West as a football-only member, its supporters still harbored wishes of joining the Pac-12.

But now that all but three UH sports teams are situated in the Mountain West, its time to quit coveting membership in another league.

First, UH signed a loyalty pact with the Mountain West.

And second, every other FBS conference has swiped left on UH.

UHs best shot was when the depleted Pac-12 sought replacements for 10 secessionists two years ago.

Five Mountain West schools agreed to move, and Air Force and UNLV decided to stay.

The Pac-12 rejected UHs half-hearted application disguised as an information-gathering endeavor.

And if the Pac-12 is not an option, neither is another Group of Six conference.

Hawaii just doesnt fit the footprint.

In the Mountain West, UH has a home where it is beloved by the commissioner and her staff, winnable schedules, and comparable bankrolls.

Theres no reason to look or dream of being anywhere else.

3.

Earlier this year, a state senator suggested without public funding UH should focus on recruiting and building partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region.

UH already has done that.

This year, the UH baseball team sent a coach to scout in Japan and Taiwan.

Three years ago, the football Warriors secured a walk-on commitment from Kansei Matsuzawa, a self-taught kicker who was playing at Hocking (junior) College at the time.

UH teams have bonded (while receiving extra summer practices) on trips to Japan.

But it appears to be more pragmatic to flip-flop the approach.

UH should convince lawmakers to sponsor more sports clinics and camps for international youths on the UH campus.

During their visit, the youth and their families could receive hands-on instruction from UHs coaches and tour the Manoa facilities.

Its never too early to build interest in UH.