The University of Hawaii-West Oahu hopes to begin an NCAA Division II athletic program in as soon as two years, chancellor Rockne Freitas told the Board of Regents Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics on Tuesday.

Freitas revealed plans for a 10-sport program that would allow the Pueo to compete in the 13-member PacWest Conference with UH Hilo, Brigham Young-Hawaii, Chaminade and Hawaii Pacific. Five additional sports could be added later.

He is scheduled to return to the board with a business plan and timeline in January, when the board could consider action.

Freitas estimated costs to be $2.27 million, providing opportunities for 145 athletes.

UH Hilo operates its 12-sport program at approximately $3.1 million.

Freitas said West Oahu residents had identified athletics as a priority area for the 2,400-student campus. Under questioning by regents, he said Gov. Neil Abercrombie and several legislators had expressed support for an athletic program.

But regents chairman John Holzman questioned whether, under current financial constraints, the UH system could afford to "create another obligation" and wondered if two UH athletic programs on Oahu could be supported.

Manoa athletic director Ben Jay said he did not envision the two schools competing against each other for athletes and believed "anything that offers additional athletic and scholarship opportunities for the student-athletes of our state is a plus."

Holzman said, "I think it is something that we need to be very cautious about."

Freitas said the school could use the Kroc Center, Kapolei Golf Course, Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park and Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park for its events.

Meanwhile, UH officials said Timothy Moore will receive a one-year term as interim athletic director at UH Hilo. Moore, who heads the school’s campus recreation department, replaces Dexter Irvin on Jan. 1. Moore will be paid $115,008 per year.

Irvin, who has served since 2009, is taking a position at the College of Southern Nevada. UHH vice chancellor Luoluo Hong said the school will take "some time" before opening up a search for a permanent successor to Irvin.

Moore would not say if he will pursue the job on a permanent basis. "I’ll consider that later," Moore said. "Right now, I just want to try and bring some stability to the program and keep it moving in a positive direction."