As the tug-of-war between the Mountain West and the Pac-12 continues to unfold in the ever-shifting landscape of college football conference realignment, the University of Hawaii is positioning itself for long-term stability. The Rainbow Warriors are currently one of seven remaining Mountain West members, joining Air Force, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, and Wyoming, all with the potential to earn a significant signing bonus. A report by Brett McMurphy of the Action Network, both UNLV and Air Force are expected to remain in the Mountain West and will receive a hefty signing bonus in the process as all remaining members are anticipated to collect shares of the over $140 million in exit and poaching fees coming from departing schools and the Pac-12 which features Oregon State, Washington State, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rob DeMello KHON (@robdemello) While everything plays out, Hawaii has been in talks with both conferences, with a primary focus on ensuring a stable future. UH Athletics Director Craig Angelos emphasized the importance of conference affiliation in an interview with KHON2 Sports. "We need to be in a conference," Angelos said. "I know people talk about going independent, but that's not really an option for us in Hawaii. BYU did it, but they had ESPN funding them and helping to arrange games. It's tough for us to find games in October and November when everyone else is playing in their conferences." Angelos also pointed out the difference between the new Pac-12 and the traditional version of the conference. He suggested that the financial stability the Mountain West could offer with exit fees might even surpass the uncertain prospects of the restructured Pac-12. "The new Pac-12 is not the old Pac-12," he noted. "Teams are chasing the brand, but it's not the same. What we have in the Mountain West, with the potential exit fees and penalties, could provide more stability. Their situation is more speculative, so it'll be interesting to see how it works out." As Hawaii navigates its next steps, Angelos urged fans to remain patient and optimistic. "We're working hard to put ourselves in a better spot than we've been in the past," he said. "If we can come out of this strong, with a new stadium and improved facilities, it could be a pivotal moment for our football program." In the meantime, attention will shift to the Aloha Stadium project, which has a targeted completion date of 2028. A Stadium Authority meeting is scheduled for Thursday. Stay with KHON2 Sports on-air and online for continuing coverage.