Follow the money.

The folks running Hawaii's most prominent sports entities certainly will in 2010. The condition of the state's economy reached into the local sports realm last year, and its impact will continue to bear watching heading into the new year.

Among the lead issues for 2010:

1. UH's fiscal health: The Hawaii athletic department's cumulative deficit continued to grow in 2009, and things don't appear to be getting any easier for athletic director Jim Donovan. Filling the seats at Aloha Stadium and the Stan Sheriff Center remains a major challenge with shrinking disposable incomes within the fan base. Still, nothing sells like winning. While women's volleyball continues to carry its share, football remains the department's bellwether and UH could certainly use a resurgent season from the Warriors in head coach Greg McMackin's third year.

2. New leadership for HHSAA: Keith Amemiya plans to step down as executive director of the HHSAA at the end of the academic year, creating a void in the position for the first time in 11 years. Among Amemiya's strengths was his ability to attract sponsors to facilitate the expansion of state tournaments with the advent of Division II competition. He also spearheaded the Save Our Sports drive that generated $1.2 million as public school programs faced sharp budget cuts. Maintaining the momentum will be among the top responsibilities for the person stepping into that role.

3. Selling Hawaii: With a relatively light professional schedule in 2010, convincing organizations to invest in holding events in the islands in the future—thereby pumping cash into the local coffers—will require a concerted effort on several fronts. A major MMA card appears to be in the works and the Pro Bowl is slated to return in 2011 after a visit to Miami later this month. The Honolulu Marathon continues to be a major draw, though a thinning golf calendar due to scarce sponsorship money remains a troubling sign.