Hawaii Athletics Keep Ear to Ground on Soaring Air Fares

Rising oil prices in the Mideast crisis have created a financial headache for Hawaii Athletic Director Stan Sheriff. Nearly 10% of the university’s $8.2-million annual budget goes for air travel, and ticket prices are heading up.

Hawaii spends more on travel than any other school in the nation and the increased costs “make us very, very nervous,” Sheriff said. “If something like this were to go on for an extended period, it could have potentially disastrous ramifications for our men’s and women’s athletic programs.”

Hawaii pays about $645,000 per year for team and staff travel, according to Athletic Business Manager Mike Nagafuchi. In addition, its membership agreement with the Western Athletic Conference requires the university to subsidize a portion of the travel costs of visiting teams in football, basketball and baseball.

Marilyn Moniz-Kahoohanohano, Hawaii’s women’s athletic director, said the school also helps subsidize travel to Hawaii by Big West Conference opponents in volleyball, basketball and softball.

Jill Nakanishi of Regal Travel, which holds the contracts for UH athletic travel, said the school is protected from any air fare increases for football and swimming travel.