The University of Hawaii could receive as much as $10 million in a one-time state "boost" to help buoy its financially struggling athletic department under a measure to be proposed by state Rep. K. Mark Takai.

Tuesday, Takai (D-Aiea) said he will propose a bill that would allow the state to provide $2 in assistance for each $1 of new money raised by the athletic department up to $10 million.

"If they raise $3 million in new money, then they get $6 million for a total of $9 million," Takai said. "Just giving them the money outright with no ability to leverage the dollars is, I think, short-sighted," Takai said. "What I want is a sustainable future for UH."

The 21-sport department ran up a $3.3 million deficit for the fiscal year that closed June 30, and projects as much as a $1 million deficit for the current fiscal year. Last summer Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple agreed to forgive a $14.7 million accumulated net deficit built up over the previous decade.

In September, athletic director Ben Jay announced a strategic initiative to raise $3 million in community donations.

Takai, a UH graduate and former swimmer and student body officer, said his proposal "dovetails" with Jay’s initiative.

"In terms of support, whether it is through ticket sales or community (donations), UH gets tremendous support, I think, when the sports programs, especially football, are winning," Takai said.

"On the flip side, I think it is very important to support our program when our football team is struggling because that’s when UH athletics needs the support most," Takai said.

"And, I think what we’ve seen the last three or four years is an erosion of community support, mainly because, I think, our football program has come into tough times."