Over the course of the next month, the University of Hawai'i will be championship central.

Between this weekend and the final one of May, UH is currently hosting or will be home to the Western Athletic Conference tennis championships (starting yesterday), the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship in women's water polo (beginning today) and the WAC Baseball Tournament (May 21 to 24).

Quite a feat. And, perhaps, one not to be seen again.

As it has been, these openings have been few and far between. It has been seven years between the MPSF's visits. The WAC men's and women's tennis championships are here for the second time in, what, 30 years? Baseball hosts the WAC for the first time since 1992 and even that was in doubt until the end of last year.

Now, given the growing concern for travel costs and a push for neutral sites, UH's biggest championship go-around could also be its last one. So, it behooves the Rainbow Wahine, Rainbow Warriors and Rainbows to make the most of this rarest of opportunities.

At one point, when the cost of aviation fuel was reaching obscene levels last summer, it looked like the WAC might pull the plug on everything but women's volleyball, which was held at the Stan Sheriff Center in November. Had the conference been able to land a suitable neutral site in the interim, baseball could have been moved.

For the baseball 'Bows, playing in Les Murakami Stadium, where they are 17-7 this season, provides an opportunity that is 24-karat to return to the NCAA postseason for the second time in what would be just 17 years. The way the 'Bows have been playing long ball — uncharacteristically, for them — only enhances the possibilities.

Men's tennis has the opportunity to repeat its upset triumph of a year ago. Meanwhile, for the Rainbow Wahine, who have missed out on the last two NCAA Water Polo Tournaments, this could provide a breakthrough. One that would be all the more satisfying if they could do it through or at San Diego State's expense.

The Aztecs, in a move that should still rankle, were the curious choice of an NCAA committee two years ago despite UH having won both head-to-head meetings.

Between scores to settle and opportunities to seize, this is a stretch not to waste for UH.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.