1. Walter Dods
2. Mark Rolfing
3. Duane Kurisu
4. June Jones
5. Michelle Wie
6. Bert T. Kobayashi Jr.
7. Warren Haruki
8. Evan Dobelle
9. Tony Guerrero
10. John Fink

(2) MARK ROLFING

BancWest chairman and chief executive Walter Dods quickly pledged $25,000 a year for five years.

Want to make that much-dreamed-of showdown between Hawai'i's top high school football teams and two nationally ranked schools from the Mainland a reality?

Dods had the parent company of First Hawaiian Bank not only take on title sponsorship of the prep doubleheader, but financially guarantee what could have been a six-figure commitment.

At age 62, the man some call "Uncle Walter" continues to reign as the most influential figure in Hawai'i sports.

(3) DUANE KURISU

$1 million he has given from his own pocket for academic scholarships, people in local sports say there is little doubt who you need to have on board.

"Having him associated with any event or program adds a ton of credibility — and practically assures it will be a success," said one industry figure who asked not to be named because of the sensitive nature of the subject.

Not that Dods throws his weight and access to wealth around. In preparation for this article, he was asked to sit for a photograph underlining his status as No. 1. A spokesman said Dods declined so not as to appear to be tooting his horn.

But there is no denying that when Dods wants to make a difference, he can. "When he has something to say, people listen," said one sports official who also requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the subject.

(4) JUNE JONES

It is a continuing indication of the premium placed on fund-raising and sponsorships in a tight economy and limited money pool where ticket prices alone no longer pay all the freight that these individuals have come to occupy and retain such prominent places. They underwrite events, help fund contracts, fill out boards, selection committees and booster groups vital to the sports they contribute to.

The 10 Most Influential

(5) MICHELLE WIE

2. Mark Rolfing. NBC golf analyst, Hawaii'i Tourism Authority sports consultant and Prince Resorts Hawai'i golf professional. But with entree into national circles and the ear of media, business and golf decision-makers, he really is Hawai'i's Minister of Golf for a multi-million dollar segment of the tourist industry.

3. Duane Kurisu. Partner in real estate investment firm Kurisu & Fergus. Other positions include: UH regent; chairman of PacificBasin Communications, owner of KKEA radio, the UH sports rights holder, and Hawaii'i Sports Network, and a minority owner in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Would like to bring back the Hawai'i Winter League for 2004.

(6) BERT T. KOBAYASHI JR.

5. Michelle Wie. Golf phenom. Hasn't started high school at Punahou School but already influences a generation of junior golfers. She is attracting a following of non-players, too.

6. Bert T. Kobayashi, Jr. Founding partner Kobayashi, Sugita & Goda. New head of Ahahui Koa Anuenue, the master UH booster club and a force in shaping its future. With a Who's Who of clients, can appeal to some of the biggest wallets in the state. Not to be confused with Bert A. Kobayashi, UH regent and developer.

(7) WARREN HARUKI

8. Evan Dobelle. UH President. Yes, there was a "selection" committee but don't let that fool you, the choice of Herman Frazier as athletic director was more his call. Just as it was his mandate that Frazier find a way to retain June Jones. Has been responsible for raising salaries and expectations in the UH system. Now, two years into his reign, we'll begin to find out how much of it is do-able and affordable at UH.

9. Tony Guerrero. Executive vice president Banc West Corp. Other positions include chairman of the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau; chair Friends of Hawai'i Charities, which has distributed more than $3 million in the five years of golf's Sony Open; member of the Aloha Stadium Authority and member of board of directors Ahahui Koa Anuenue, UH's master booster organization, and Na Koa Football (booster) Club.

(8) EVAN DOBELLE

Honorable Mention

Keith Amemiya. Executive director, Hawai'i High School Athletic Association. Opening new frontiers for high schools sports. Guided to fruition the HHSAA/First Hawaiian Football Classic, is preparing to implement two-tier playoff system and sent a message with the sanctions against Baldwin High in the state soccer tournament.

Jim Barahal. President Ho-nolulu Marathon Association. Has grown this marquee event and vital tourism draw from an average of 6,500 entries in 1987 to about 30,000 annually, more than three-quarters of them from outside the state.

(9) TONY GUERRERO

Robert Bunda. Senate President. A good man to know if you want to get things done.

Jim Burns. State appellate judge. Force in UH and Saint Louis School sports for decades.

David Carey, chief executive Outrigger Enterprises Inc. Prominent booster and benefactor.

Bobby Curran. Sportscaster. UH radio voice and shaper of opinions on sports.

Jim Donovan. Executive director, Hawai'i Bowl.

(10) JOHN FINK

Andy Irons. Championship surfer. Reigning world champion and growing force in the sport.

Jim Leahey. KFVE sportscaster. The face — and the voice — fans have put to sports here for more than two decades.

Bobby Lee. Boxing official. International boxing figure and Mr. Boxing here, where he has run or advised the state boxing commission for more than 40 years.

Kathleen McNally. UH-Hilo athletic director.

Norman Minehira. Leilehua High principal and power in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association.

Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano. UH-Manoa assistant AD.

Don Murphy. Restraunteur. Major fund-raiser for many groups and head of Na Koa Football Club.

Jill Nunokawa. UH civil rights counselor and president Gender Equity Sport Club. Point person on gender equity in athletics in the state.

Larry Price. KSSK personality. Influential voice in the community and point man on the Hawai'i Sports Hall of Fame.

Calvin Say. House Speaker. Want to build or renovate a sports facility in this state? He's the man who has to approve the check.

Nate Smith. Chairman of Oceanic Cable.

Don Takaki. President, Island Movers, owner of baseball team of the same name and a long-time contributor to the sport and UH.

Barry Taniguchi. President KTA Stores. Influential benefactor for UH-Hilo and Big Island sports.

Fifteen to Watch

Darnell Arceneaux. Head football coach, Saint Louis School. Where does the Crusader Dynasty go from here?

Tim Chang. UH quarterback. How he goes — and how healthy he stays — will say a lot about UH.

Chris Dey (general manager) and Kimberly Wang (owner). Hawaiian Islanders. Will the state's only "pro" team continue to grow?

Stephanie Kono. Golf. If not for Wie, she could be the talk of local golf for years to come.

Dennis Lajola. Rising tennis star. Future is bright for No. 4-ranked U.S. Tennis Association 14-and-under player.

Cal Lee. Football coach. After dominating high school football and giving the arenafootball2 franchise credibility, what's next for him in Manoa?

Gov. Linda Lingle. How will she make her mark in sports?

John Nugent. Vice president, general manager Anheuser-Busch Hawai'i. Will he continue to put the big six-figure sums into local sports broadcasts and events like his predecessors?

Tom Sadler. UH associate athletic director. Frazier's right-hand man.

Julian Sensley. UH basketball player. Will he be the next "franchise" for the Rainbows?

Mike Trapasso. UH baseball coach. Are the Rainbows poised for a breakthrough?

Brian Viloria. Pro boxer. Can he win a world title and help revive boxing in Hawai'i?

BJ Wie. Father of Michelle. Where will he help take her career and how rough a ride will it be?