The University of Hawaii athletic department is one signature away from receiving some relief from the rising cost of doing business in paradise.

The Legislature recently approved a measure appropriating $3 million to be shared between the UH Manoa and UH Hilo athletic departments. The proposal awaits final approval from Gov. David Ige.

UH Manoa athletic director David Matlin said it has not been determined how the money will be split.

“We have decided not to have that conversation until everything is done, then we’ll go from there,” Matlin said. “It’ll be something we’ll all talk about and we’ll divide in a way that makes sense.”

UH Manoa is struggling to cover increased expenses in travel subsidies and guarantees to opposing teams, expanded training tables, and cost-of-attendance payouts to student-athletes.

A presentation to the school’s Board of Regents in November showed the Manoa athletic department spent $2.9 million in travel subsidies and guarantees in the fiscal year ending in June 2015 — an average $1.8 million greater than what each mid-major school paid to opponents.

Largely because of Hawaii’s geographical isolation, UH paid $3.8 million to travel to road games in fiscal year 2015— an average of $1.2 million more than what other mid-major schools paid.

What’s more, according to the presentation, UH’s athletic student aid — scholarships paid to the university — is $2.2 million higher than the average mid-major school’s payout because of UH’s large number of team sports and higher tuition for non-resident student-athletes.

The $5.2 million in differential costs “are unique to our geography,” Matlin said. “That’s something we have to be accountable for, but really can’t control.”

Travel subsidies were an agreed-upon stipulation to UH’s football membership in the Mountain West Conference and others sports’ entry into the Big West Conference.

“We’re very appreciative of the Legislature for passing the funding, as well as everyone at the University of Hawaii for supporting these efforts,” Matlin said. “We believe athletics plays a very tangible and intangible benefit to the entire state, and this funding will help us very much in being able to provide that, as well as supporting our student-athletes.”