The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii on Feb. 19, 2026, for consideration by the House Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.
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Feb. 19, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Hawaii State Capitol
Conference Room 329 and Videoconference
To: House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce
Rep. Scot Z. Matayoshi, Chair
Rep. Tina Nakada Grandinetti, Vice Chair
House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Rep. David A. Tarnas, Chair
Rep. Mahina Poepoe, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns
RE: COMMENTS ON HB2384 HD1 — RELATING TO STUDENT-ATHLETE COMPENSATION
Aloha Chairs, Vice Chairs and other members of the Committees,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii offers comments on HB2384 HD1, which would require the University of Hawaiʻi to adopt policies regarding name, image and likeness agreements and activities for student athletes.
Inasmuch as this bill seeks to clarify NIL rules and activities and make them more both transparent and accountable, it deserves praise. This is an evolving area that would be helped by greater clarity for both students and schools.
However, we believe that the bill should include a provision that prevents state funds from being used to compensate athletes. If the university decides to pay its athletes, those payments should be required to rely on donations and other sources of funding, not taxpayer dollars.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Ted Kefalas
Director of Strategic Campaigns
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
