AD Frazier's budget 'close to $17 million'

Stephen Tsai and Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writers

Herman Frazier hopes to finalize budget in two weeks. Advertiser library photo

"We're looking at close to $17 million," Frazier said during a 90-minute briefing yesterday. He said he hopes to finalize the budget in the next two weeks and present it to Manoa chancellor Peter Englert.

"But you don't want to know what I first saw on the expense side," said Frazier, who took over the 19-sport department Aug. 1. "I laid down for about half an hour when I saw it. It was high."

Frazier declined to say how high, conceding only, "it was less than $20 million."

For the fiscal year that ended June 30th, UH spent $16.7 million — $1.5 million more than budgeted. That forced the department to all but exhaust its so-called "rainy day" surplus to make up the difference. Less than $12,000 remains in the fund.

Frazier said he has some ideas to tap new revenue, "but I'd rather not share those right now." He said he expects to use his predecessor, Hugh Yoshida, in a fundraising capacity.

Frazier said he hopes to soon begin assembling his management "team." Frazier said: "I'd like to do it as quickly as possible, but I don't know if that will be the next two months or four months. School starts in two weeks and I'm losing a senior member of the staff (associate AD Jim Donovan, who leaves next month). I can't do three jobs forever."

Indications are assistant AD Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano will be promoted to one of at least two associate positions. Frazier said he has already "extended the invitation for Marilyn to be a part of the team and a very instrumental part of the team."

Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano, a former UH volleyball player, has spent 14 years in administration at the school and served on several NCAA committees.

Frazier said: "I've got to bring in people who understand my system and understand my work ethic. For instance, in an ideal world, I would have my team right now and not have to have as many meetings as I'm having. I'm having 12-14 meetings a day and my days are very, very long."