Aloha Stadium, shown in this photo from Dec. 11, 2015, is shutting down indefinitely, the Aloha Stadium Authority announced Thursday. The Stadium Authority said the decision was made “in response to COVID-19 safety restrictions that have severely limited revenue generation opportunities.” The University of Hawaii football team has called the stadium home since it was built in 1975. AP file photo
The announcement of the shutdown of Aloha Stadium for the immediate future instantly brought speculation that Maui’s War Memorial Stadium may be in line to host University of Hawaii football games as soon as next season.
The Aloha Stadium Authority announced its decision Thursday to reduce operations and place a moratorium on new events at the stadium located in Halawa on Oahu.
“These changes are being adopted in response to COVID-19 safety restrictions that have severely limited revenue generation opportunities,” the Stadium Authority said in a news release on its website. “Events that were reserved prior to today’s decision will be honored and activities in the parking lot will continue, including the drive-through Christmas display and Swap Meet & Marketplace.”
“It is with a heavy heart that we make this difficult decision,” Ross Yamasaki, Chair of the Stadium Authority, said in the news release. “Aloha Stadium has been expending its reserves to maintain operations since COVID-19 restrictions began. Unfortunately, we have reached a stage where we can no longer afford to continue these expenditures. It is our hope that we can find a long-term solution but for now, must make these changes to reduce expenses and generate revenue through activities in the parking lot and events that have already been booked.”
Citing anonymous sources, KHON2 reported Thursday that Aloha Stadium has been deemed unsafe to hold crowds and is facing condemnation.
War Memorial Stadium, shown in this aerial photo taken in May, seats approximately 15,500 fans and has the second-largest football seating capacity in the state, behind 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
The Stadium Authority’s announcement brought an immediate response from UH, which played five games at the stadium this season, all without fans due to COVID-19 restrictions. Hawaii football has played at the stadium since it was built in 1975.
“We are beyond disappointed of the news at today’s announcement from the Aloha Stadium Authority that there will be no further events in the current stadium with fans,” UH athletic director David Matlin said in a statement released by the school. “Aloha Stadium has such a storied history and carries so many memories for our football program and generations of Hawai’i families. We must now take responsibility ourselves to find a suitable venue for our Rainbow Warriors, Hawai’i’s football team, to play in front of our loyal fans beginning in 2021.”
The Warriors (4-4) completed their regular season last Saturday with a 38-21 win over UNLV at Aloha Stadium. They are set to face Houston in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 24 in Frisco, Texas.
Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino welcomed the possibility of UH playing at War Memorial.
“I am open to entertaining the notion of War Memorial Stadium hosting UH football games,” Victorino said in a statement Thursday afternoon. “It would be a great opportunity for our local college football fans to cheer the Rainbow Warrior football team here at home on Maui.”
University of Hawaii players perform a haka before a 2007 game against Washington at Aloha Stadium. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
UH played Montana in a game at War Memorial on Sept. 8, 2001. The turnstile attendance announced that day was 11,254. War Memorial Stadium was expanded to its current capacity in 1998 to host the Hula Bowl — the college All-Star game remained on Maui until 2005.
“So, we know games of this caliber have been played here — with national TV coverage,” Victorino said. “I am willing to expedite stadium improvements to accommodate better seating, lighting or expanded concession areas, in order to host UH games here.
“This would be a great opportunity for our keiki and our local sports community not only to experience NCAA Division I football, but also a chance for local nonprofits and sports clubs to raise funds through stadium concession sales.”
War Memorial seats approximately 15,500 fans; the Wailuku stadium has the second-largest football seating capacity in the state, behind 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium.
To maintain Football Bowl Subdivision status, a program must average 15,000 fans once every two seasons. Clarence T.C. Ching Field on the UH-Manoa campus currently holds less than 5,000 fans.
Other options for UH could be to add temporary stands to existing venues on Oahu such as T.C. Ching.
The new Aloha Stadium, which is expected to hold anywhere from 30,000 to 35,000 fans, is not projected to be ready until 2023 at the earliest.
* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com.
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