1. TONY GUERRERO

Vice chairman First Hawaiian Bank. President Friends of Hawaii Charities, which has produced nearly $5 million for various local charities. Past chairman of Aloha Stadium Authority, where he helped get FieldTurf and got the ball rolling on a UH rent rebate, and Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau. Also vice president of 'Ahahui Koa Anuenue and a director of Na Koa Football Club.

2. DUANE KURISU

Co-principal Kurisu & Fergus real estate developers. Former UH regent who owns PacificBasin Communications, KKEA radio, the former Hawai'i Sports Network, Hawai'i Winter Baseball and is a minority owner of the Honolulu Star Bulletin and San Francisco Giants. Also said to umpire youth league baseball games. Friends say he has told them he has backing from Japan and hopes to revive the winter league for 2006.

3. TEAM WIE

The 15-year-old high school junior, along with father, Byung-Wook (BJ), and mother, Hyun Kyong (Bo), have put an international focus on Hawai'i golf. Here, her influence extends beyond the Sony Open and SBS Open at Turtle Bay, where she draws the galleries, to the young golfers who hope to follow in her (men's) size 9 1/2 footsteps.

4. MARK ROLFING

NBC, Golf Channel commentator and Golf Hawai'i producer. Former college roommate of Dan Quayle and Kapalua cart barn attendant who has become Hawai'i's voice in the golf world. People — from network executives to tourism officials and Team Wie — seek his counsel. His influence will be needed if Hawai'i is to continue to hang on to the two opening stops on the annual PGA Tour in upcoming negotiations.

5. JUNE JONES

UH football coach. Some people swear by him — and others swear at him — but as the most visible and highest paid state employee what he does and says has an impact beyond the playing field. With two-time defending national champion Southern Cal opening the schedule, the spotlight will be as bright as ever.

6. Bert T. Kobayashi Jr.

Senior partner Kobayashi, Sugita & Goda law firm. Trustee UH Foundation. Most recently, as president of 'Ahahui Koa Anuenue, relentlessly captained four-year drive to overhaul UH booster organizations and implement premium seating schedule. Behind-the-scenes power whose Rolodex and contacts have been a gold mine for UH. When UH succeeds in balancing its athletic budget, it will be in large part due to the framework he helped build. No relation to another prominent booster, developer Bert A. Kobayashi.

7. JOHN FINK

President and general manager of KFVE and sister station, KHNL. Former pro soccer (Team Hawaii) official and disc jockey has had a large say in how Hawai'i has watched UH sports for a decade while pumping millions into UH. Scored an upset over Oceanic Time Warner cable to retain UH television rights.

8. BRIAN TANIGUCHI

State senator D-10th (Manoa, McCully). Need state money to build a new sports facility or renovate a crumbling one? The chairman of the ways and means committee is the one you need to get on board. The $4 million appropriation that came out of this last session to upgrade Roosevelt High's 75-year-old facilities is a prime example.

9. BOBBY CURRAN

KKEA morning drive talk show host and radio voice of UH in football and men's basketball. From the unimagined "broadcast" beginnings at the Compadres bar, has risen to a level where his insights and opinions carry considerable weight with listeners.

10. KEITH AMEMIYA

Executive director of the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association. Decided practicing law wasn't as much fun as breaking new ground in high school sports. Brought De La Salle High of Concord, Calif. here for a historic football doubleheader three years ago and has two Utah teams coming in September. Biggest coup was bringing two-tier postseason to state championships. Tireless fundraiser. An up-and-comer to keep an eye on in future UH athletic director openings.

10 TO WATCH

(ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Jim Barahal — President Honolulu Marathon Association. Physician and former radio sideline reporter oversees the largest participatory sporting event in the state. Last year more than 31,000 entrants — 25,671 of them runners — signed up for marathon activities.

Herman Frazier — UH athletic director. Now that he has the new contract and the incoming money to balance the budget, will the former Olympic medalist reach the potential that prompted former UH President Evan Dobelle to bring him here?

Chad Hoffmeister — Vice president and general manager Anheuser-Busch Hawai'i. New key man in town for a firm that does more than $500,000 a year in sports-related ads and sponsorships.

Kitty Lagareta — CEO of Communications Pacific and vice chair of the UH Board of Regents. Together with outgoing chair Patricia Lee, Lagareta has shaped UH athletics policy from the top. Has the ear of Gov. Linda Lingle and likely to become next regents' chair. Frazier can thank her, in no small part, for his new contract.

Bobby Lee — Member of the Hawai'i State Boxing Commission and respected international figure. But unofficial title could be "Mr. Boxing" in Hawai'i, where he has either run the sport or advised those who have for more than 50 years.

David McClain — Interim UH president. Season ticket-holder, avowed fan and chairman of the search committee that "selected" Frazier as athletic director. His two immediate predecessors left strong imprints on athletics. What will his mark be?

Norman Minehira — Leilehua High principal for 15 years — and a lot more. With more than 30 years in the DOE, he is the voice of experience. By virtue of being the behind-the-scenes authority in O'ahu Interscholastic Association, he is a major player in high school sports.

Don Murphy — Downtown restaurateur. President of Na Koa Football Club and new president of 'Ahahui Koa Anuenue. UH coaches and athletes owe him a lot. Along with wife Marion hosts a series of UH fundraisers, the biggest of which, the annual Pigskin Pigout, brings in $120,000 for football.

Don Takaki — Chairman and CEO of Island Movers. A key man in the baseball community and tireless longtime UH booster.

Orrys Williams — Reclusive owner of the debuting Hawai'i entry in the American Basketball Association. Can this self-described sports marketer make a go of a semi-pro franchise in a market that has been a graveyard for them?