HONOLULU (KHON2) -- College athletics changed three years ago when the NCAA's Name Image Likeness policy, or NIL, went into effect. It allows student athletes to get paid.
There's a group that allows you to help attract and keep the best talent in Hawaii.
Mike Kawazoe is local, an entrepreneur and Hawaii sports fan.
When the UH men's basketball team was about to lose a couple recruits, he started the Rainbow Collective.
"There's a need," Kawazoe said. "No one else was doing a whole lot in that space and actively trying to raise money. There had been a few groups out there that were looking to do it, but we were going to lose out on these players, so I felt like I had to pick up the ball and run with it."
Warriors Head Coach Timmy Chang said the recruiting has changed in NCAA sports.
"Now you're allowed to pay players, so for us it helps." Chang said.
Within 18 months the Collective has raised $750,000 for UH athletes in several sports, according to Kawazoe.
"It's the law of large numbers," Kawazoe said. "I think Hawaii's an expensive place to live so I'm not asking for big money, but I think if we can get 10,000 people to give $10 a month to subscribe, that will help out all the coaches here maintain talent, attract talent, and bring people in."
Kawazoe structured the Collective to accept donations from anybody to make a one-time donation or as a subscription as low as $8.99 a month.
"For us, in football, we're not giving them big time money," Chang said. "It's money to help them get here to there, put extra money in their pocket for food, even just make them feel a little more comfortable as they live within our communities."
Peter Manuma, Warriors' safety and one of the Collective's athletes said he is beyond grateful.
"Thankful for the people that's helping us, and you know, taking care of problems outside football for us so we can focus on football." Manuma said.
Before NIL, college recruits were sold on being in Hawaii, living in paradise, the weather, the beaches. After NIL, it just wasn't enough.
"I think all the coaches here grasp that concept that, yes, we're not trying to compete with the Tennessee's and the power 4s of the world, but it's something to help supplement." Kawazoe said.
The Rainbow Collective hopes it can close that gap.
"It's amazing that's all we need," said Pofele Ashlock, Warriors wide receiver and Collective athlete. "Just a little something. It's not like we're millionaires or anything you know what I mean. It's been amazing to be a part of something like this and been going great for us especially for me so I'm very much blessed."