Aloha Stadium...condemned?

Share your news and views about University of Hawaii Warrior Football
EITSwarrior
Hall of famer
Hall of famer
Posts: 2467
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 3:40 pm

Re: Aloha Stadium...condemned?

Post by EITSwarrior »

If Aloha Stadium is as much of a safety concern as we are to believe according to evaluations from engineers and the cost to repair is not worth the extra 5-10 years we would get until a new stadium is built then we should just tear it down and get going on a new one.

UnBiasFan
All-American
All-American
Posts: 1724
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 6:28 am

Re: Aloha Stadium...condemned?

Post by UnBiasFan »

EITSwarrior wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 7:42 pm If Aloha Stadium is as much of a safety concern as we are to believe according to evaluations from engineers and the cost to repair is not worth the extra 5-10 years we would get until a new stadium is built then we should just tear it down and get going on a new one.
That’s the path we thought we are on. Then Governor says maybe we just continue to use it. Stadium Authority says cannot. University weighing alternatives but running out of time.

Keep in mind, that this fall may bring a huge surge in demand for stadium events if we turn the corner on COVID. And will we meet this demand? I don’t think they give a rats azz about this. No vision. No imagination. No leadership. We could be fully clear for stadium events with no place to play. Or we play in an empty stadium for reasons other than COVID. I’m not sure we forgive them for that.

UnBiasFan
All-American
All-American
Posts: 1724
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 6:28 am

Re: Aloha Stadium...condemned?

Post by UnBiasFan »

kapakahi wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:17 pm
UnBiasFan wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 4:55 pm
Irse wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 4:54 pm
Was thinking about that but the top section also has the lights
Maybe they don’t need end zone lights. Or put in a temporary solution. We need 3 years.
The Upper Concourse Level contains the Stadium's scoreboard controls (in the North End Zone) and the Public Address system controls (in both the North & South End Zones) as well as the main lighting controls along with associated step-down transformers (for the whole stadium; not just the end zones). The Public Address system is required by life safety code for crowd control announcements in case of emergency situations.

Need to the keep the bridges in order to maintain a continuous egress path on the Lower Concourse level for spectators from the sideline stand sections (to comply with life safety & building code requirements) to access the North and South plaza areas and the perimeter AC paved access roads, in turn, to egress the stadium confines via the respective exit gates. The exit stairs & escalators from the sideline stand sections alone do not comply with egress code requirements nor do they provide a handicapped accessible egress path for physically disabled spectators.
How about bull doze the entire structure north and south, and egress can be field level right into the parking lot. Give physically disabled field level seating. And the PA system is easy. Put some Marshall Stacks in the end zone areas like at a rock concert, And put a manual scoreboard like golf. Only play day games. Can we get an engineering demolition plan in place in 60 days?
Last edited by UnBiasFan on Mon Feb 15, 2021 9:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

kapakahi
*True Sports Fan*
*True Sports Fan*
Posts: 6419
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:22 pm
Location: formerly SoCal (Long Beach, South Bay & the OC); relocated back to Honolulu

Re: Aloha Stadium...condemned?

Post by kapakahi »

EITSwarrior wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 7:42 pm If Aloha Stadium is as much of a safety concern as we are to believe according to evaluations from engineers and the cost to repair is not worth the extra 5-10 years we would get until a new stadium is built then we should just tear it down and get going on a new one.
Because of a language screw-up by the State that got the proposed bill rejected last Legislative Session, the State can't get going with the re-development of the Aloha Stadium property until the new bill is passed by this year's State Legislature and is not vetoed by Governor Ige. Even if Governor Ige vetoes this bill (given his recent comments), the State Legislature could still override his veto so that the bill becomes law on July 1, 2021.

The project would also still need to address all review comments (including those from UH) provided in the ongoing Environment Impact Statement (EIS) phase regarding the proposed Aloha Stadium re-development project.
https://www.khon2.com/sports/in-letter- ... g-forward/ https://twitter.com/KHONnews/status/1347741419746648066

UnBiasFan
All-American
All-American
Posts: 1724
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 6:28 am

Re: Aloha Stadium...condemned?

Post by UnBiasFan »

At the rate we are going, we should think about bidding on the 2032 Olympics and building for that.

kapakahi
*True Sports Fan*
*True Sports Fan*
Posts: 6419
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:22 pm
Location: formerly SoCal (Long Beach, South Bay & the OC); relocated back to Honolulu

Re: Aloha Stadium...condemned?

Post by kapakahi »

kapakahi wrote: Thu Dec 17, 2020 12:08 pm
New funding could be appropriated by the Legislature in the upcoming legislative session (January through April) but typically wouldn't be made available until July 1, 2021 (the start of the State's fiscal year)
UnBiasFan wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 9:00 pm
How about bull doze the entire structure north and south, and egress can be field level right into the parking lot. Give physically disabled field level seating. And the PA system is easy. Put some Marshall Stacks in the end zone areas like at a rock concert, And put a manual scoreboard like golf. Only play day games. Can we get an engineering demolition plan in place in 60 days?
Since the State Legislature hasn't appropriated any construction-related funds for Aloha Stadium since 2015, still need new monies (which wouldn't be available until July 1st) in order to perform any work (including demolition) at Aloha Stadium.
Last edited by kapakahi on Sat Jan 08, 2022 8:52 am, edited 1 time in total.

kapakahi
*True Sports Fan*
*True Sports Fan*
Posts: 6419
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:22 pm
Location: formerly SoCal (Long Beach, South Bay & the OC); relocated back to Honolulu

Re: Aloha Stadium...condemned?

Post by kapakahi »

UnBiasFan wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 9:15 pm At the rate we are going, we should think about bidding on the 2032 Olympics and building for that.
That's why I keep saying that the lawmakers (State Legislators & Governors) failed to plan ahead and take action in a timely manner thereby inexorably [though not intentionally] planning to fail. These lawmakers only care about dealing with short-term issues within their current term (just to get re-elected)....and don't seem to concern themselves with the long-term aftermath.

State construction projects involve way more hurdles (since public funds are involved; in addition to politics) that private construction projects just doesn't involve.

UnBiasFan
All-American
All-American
Posts: 1724
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 6:28 am

Re: Aloha Stadium...condemned?

Post by UnBiasFan »

kapakahi wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 9:25 pm
UnBiasFan wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 9:15 pm At the rate we are going, we should think about bidding on the 2032 Olympics and building for that.
That's why I keep saying that the lawmakers (State Legislators & Governors) failed to plan ahead and take action in a timely manner thereby inexorably [though not intentionally] planning to fail. These lawmakers only care about dealing with short-term issues within their current term (just to get re-elected)....and don't seem to concern themselves with the long-term aftermath.

State construction projects involve way more hurdles (since public funds are involved; in addition to politics) that a private construction project doesn't involve.
And even if the hurdles are crossed, they still need to implement. Aren’t there at least two examples on the Manoa Campus where contractors screwed up? I don’t think we can assume anything gets done, even if permitted and appropriated. So we play on a freakin practice field and watch from the parking structure. And hope COVID is still in play so the NCAA or our conference doesn’t squawk.

kapakahi
*True Sports Fan*
*True Sports Fan*
Posts: 6419
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:22 pm
Location: formerly SoCal (Long Beach, South Bay & the OC); relocated back to Honolulu

Re: Aloha Stadium...condemned?

Post by kapakahi »

kapakahi wrote: Sat Jan 30, 2021 2:51 am
SundayJam wrote: Sat Jan 30, 2021 1:11 am
Why do we need to re-do the field? What's wrong with the existing field?
While the existing Ching Field DOMO turf field surface (installed back in 2008) is still adequate for practices, it probably no longer meets the current requirements to play NCAA-sanctioned football games (considering that the Aloha Stadium turf field surface had already been replaced twice since 2008 - first in 2011 and last in 2016).

BTW, the time-lapse video of the 2011 Aloha Stadium turf field replacement project shows that the work involved is labor-intensive and dependent on the good weather conditions.


Link
At least UH is already bidding out their project to replace the Ching Field artificial turf surface.
kapakahi wrote: Fri Feb 12, 2021 10:37 am
UH is current bidding out the construction work to replace the Ching Field artificial turf surface.....since the funds were previously appropriated with the work originally planned to be performed last year (but got held-up because of the campus shutdown due to the pandemic) following the track replacement work in 2019....:dubthum:

https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/opportunities/uh https://twitter.com/bidsUSA/status/1357344661665243137

kapakahi
*True Sports Fan*
*True Sports Fan*
Posts: 6419
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:22 pm
Location: formerly SoCal (Long Beach, South Bay & the OC); relocated back to Honolulu

Re: Aloha Stadium...condemned?

Post by kapakahi »

https://www.khon2.com/local-news/planne ... -district/ https://twitter.com/KHONnews/status/1362208432497991682
Gov. David Ige challenged the NASED team to continue to explore all options. Ige has said the total cost for a new stadium is out of the state’s budget.

“Our fiscal challenges are real. So, we need to take a hard look at everything that we’re doing,” Otaguro said. “We have an obligation to all of you as well to the governor to vet all different options again to allow fans once again to the stadium.”

Otaguro, who oversees the public works division involved in the planning of the stadium, said it was always the plan to keep the stadium operational while they built a new one. The University of Hawaii is still an important part of the equation, he said. Otaguro also stressed that the stadium continues to rust away as discussions lengthen between the state and university.

“Rust doesn’t sleep” was the message the panel echoed in Wednesday’s conference.

Public Works administrator Chris Kinimaka said, the cost to restore the standing stadium would be more than building a new structure. A redevelopment report prepared for the state in 2017 determined the cost for a full renovation of Aloha Stadium would cost more than $420 million, while a new stadium is estimated to cost $350 million.

Kinimaka said, “That figure would probably grow much more because we know the corrosion has been moving.”
Yup...."Rust doesn't sleep".....even though the responsible lawmakers were asleep at the wheel....in deep hibernation & in denial.
The Gov is still in denial....that "rust doesn't sleep" for a steel structure in a high-humidity tropic climate in close proximity to the ocean. :roll:



Link

EITSwarrior
Hall of famer
Hall of famer
Posts: 2467
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 3:40 pm

Re: Aloha Stadium...condemned?

Post by EITSwarrior »

You know what else doesn't sleep.........INFLATION. The city council said nah to rail back in the 80s citing costs and lack of need, only for it to costs a lot more now. The more we wait to deliberate further on the stadium issue, the more its gonna cost. I mean haven't we been discussing what to do with the stadium for at least the past decade. I understand COVID took a big dump on everyones plan but come on.

kapakahi
*True Sports Fan*
*True Sports Fan*
Posts: 6419
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:22 pm
Location: formerly SoCal (Long Beach, South Bay & the OC); relocated back to Honolulu

Re: Aloha Stadium...condemned?

Post by kapakahi »

The State Legislature is being short-sighted again.....attempting another money grab....trying this time to raid all revenue generated by UH Athletics (like they've been raiding Aloha Stadium revenue for the past 2 decades).

If this bill was passed into law by the State Legislature, I would think that it would also have the unintended consequence of disenfranchising some donor supporters of UH Athletics.

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/02/ ... t-amended/

From the Star-Advertiser.....
A bill that could have required University of Hawaii athletics to turn over self-generated revenues from tickets, broadcast rights and other sources to the state general fund and, in return, made its operation “entirely dependent” on state support has been amended in the Legislature.

House Bill 62, which grew out of a state auditor’s report, would have repealed a number of special funds, including a 35-year-old account for UH athletics.


In 1985 the Legislature mandated a special fund for athletics due to the enterprise nature of the operations. But when the latest auditor’s report came out suggesting defunct accounts be repealed, Rep. Sylvia Luke (D, Makiki-Nuuanu) said, “We were in the middle of COVID-19 and it makes sense why athletics didn’t have the money in the fund (at the time). So, this (bill) is something that we are working on with UH to address.”

In testimony opposing the original bill, Kalbert Young, UH vice president for budget and finance/chief financial officer, wrote, “Although the fund is not self-sufficient and therefore was recommended for repeal in the auditor’s report, the fund still provides a useful function. Repealing the fund would mean that the athletics program at UH Manoa would be entirely dependent on the general fund.”

Young said that would mean, “All expenditures related to the athletics program, including travel, conference guarantees, salaries, student meals, student-athlete health and wellness, etc., would be paid by the state general fund. Additionally, the revenues that are collected for athletics purposes, including ticket revenue, broadcast distribution deals, concession agreements, and facilities rentals would be captured by the state general fund. This would significantly reduce the transparency of the athletics program and create an unnecessary burden on the athletics program, without improving the self-sufficiency of the program.”


In fiscal year 2020, which ended June 30, UH received approximately $16 million in direct revenues from the state and university and an additional $1.78 million from student support. They totaled about 37% of the department’s revenue in a year in which a deficit of $2.9 million was reported by outside auditors.

Young said, “If you eliminate the basis for why athletics needs to generate revenue, what is the incentive for athletics to generate its revenue? All of the revenues would just get dumped into the general fund or taken away. There would be no prioritization or incentive to generate your own funds at that point.”
kapakahi wrote: Fri Feb 12, 2021 5:34 am https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/02/ ... p-it-open/

From the Star-Advertiser....
Measure would help Aloha Stadium pay its bills to keep it open
By Ferd Lewis Today

Without a $1.5 million emergency appropriation from the legislature this session, Aloha Stadium might have to cease operations, lawmakers have been told.

With its ability to hold large events impacted by COVID-19, the facility is seeking budgetary assistance for the first time in its 46-year history in order to finish the current fiscal year that concludes June 30 and stay open in July.

The request is separate from any health and safety repairs and maintenance but does include $300,000 to pay for a forensic structural assessment of the decaying facility.

“I don’t want to be doomsday, but if you have no help from the legislature come the end of the fiscal year, come the end of June, what does that mean?” state Sen. Glenn Wakai (D, Kalihi-Pearl Harbor) asked stadium officials in a hearing on Senate Bill 1033. “Do you just shutter the place and walk away? What happen if you don’t get any kind of assistance?”

Stadium manager Scott Chan said, “I would hate to say that, but the only alternative that I know is we’re going to have to shut down. There no other way for us to pay for our expenses.”

The stadium does not receive an annual appropriation for operations from the state and relies on the revenue from the events it hosts to fund its $9 million annual budget.

Without the upfront money from the state, Comptroller Curt Otaguro termed it a, “You gotta hunt what you eat” arrangement.


But with concerts and other large events canceled since March, swap meets cut back and football games held without fans, the facility has been running at as much as a $4.6 million shortfall.

Deputy Stadium Manager Ryan Andrews said expenses have been trimmed, temporary employees laid off, new revenue sources sought and leftover cash from previous years used to narrow the deficit.

Still, Chan said, “Our rough estimates show us that our cash balance will be in jeopardy. We just want to make sure that we don’t get to that point. We’re hoping that what we do now will carry us a little further.”
kapakahi wrote: Thu Dec 17, 2020 11:50 am
Accordingly, the Aloha Stadium Authority has been operating on their own revenues (essentially as a private business)…..so it shouldn't be a surprise that the pandemic (with no spectator events) has also significantly reduced their financial resources (much like a private business - but actually even worse since any unspent revenue must be returned at the end of the fiscal year to the State's general funds (for re-appropriation by the Legislature) plus the Governor has not designated any CARES relief funds for the stadium) to continue operating & maintaining the facilities. As such, the Aloha Stadium Authority is not allowed by law (as was introduced & enacted by the Legislature) to retain any unspent revenue beyond any fiscal year.....to purposely prevent revenue reserves to be established (i.e., can no longer retain any revenue profits for future expenditure).
kapakahi wrote: Tue Jan 12, 2021 3:03 pm
TheDuke wrote: Tue Jan 12, 2021 2:39 pm
"but actually even worse since any unspent revenue must be returned at the end of the fiscal year to the State's general funds " they can pretend to act like a private business but with a condition like this they can't. There is no motivation to make a profit. In many government agencies you spend it all because if you don't you lose it.
Correct....that there is no motivation to make a profit.

All State government agencies also have to comply with the State's procurement laws (which private businesses don't contend with) in order to spend monies within a given fiscal year which makes it difficult for the Stadium Authority to spend it all (since annual revenues vary year-to-year depending on events held within a fiscal year) .....so the unspent monies just gets funneled back to the State's revolving general funds for re-appropriation by the State Legislature the following legislative session.

User avatar
Palolo_2LA
All-conference
All-conference
Posts: 1237
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2014 8:25 am
MLB: A's
NBA: Lakers
NFL: Cowboys

Re: Aloha Stadium...condemned?

Post by Palolo_2LA »

Typical half a$$ politics, policies and legislation in our banana gov't called the state of Hawaii.
Be humble and confident in yourself and all things you do. :zook:

User avatar
RedZone
*True Sports Fan*
*True Sports Fan*
Posts: 7069
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2006 10:11 am

Re: Aloha Stadium...condemned?

Post by RedZone »

kapakahi wrote: Wed Feb 24, 2021 9:26 am The State Legislature is being short-sighted again.....attempting another money grab....trying this time to raid all revenue generated by UH Athletics (like they've been raiding Aloha Stadium revenue for the past 2 decades).

If this bill was passed into law by the State Legislature, I would think that it would also have the unintended consequence of disenfranchising some donor supporters of UH Athletics.

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/02/ ... t-amended/

From the Star-Advertiser.....
A bill that could have required University of Hawaii athletics to turn over self-generated revenues from tickets, broadcast rights and other sources to the state general fund and, in return, made its operation “entirely dependent” on state support has been amended in the Legislature.

House Bill 62, which grew out of a state auditor’s report, would have repealed a number of special funds, including a 35-year-old account for UH athletics.


In 1985 the Legislature mandated a special fund for athletics due to the enterprise nature of the operations. But when the latest auditor’s report came out suggesting defunct accounts be repealed, Rep. Sylvia Luke (D, Makiki-Nuuanu) said, “We were in the middle of COVID-19 and it makes sense why athletics didn’t have the money in the fund (at the time). So, this (bill) is something that we are working on with UH to address.”

In testimony opposing the original bill, Kalbert Young, UH vice president for budget and finance/chief financial officer, wrote, “Although the fund is not self-sufficient and therefore was recommended for repeal in the auditor’s report, the fund still provides a useful function. Repealing the fund would mean that the athletics program at UH Manoa would be entirely dependent on the general fund.”

Young said that would mean, “All expenditures related to the athletics program, including travel, conference guarantees, salaries, student meals, student-athlete health and wellness, etc., would be paid by the state general fund. Additionally, the revenues that are collected for athletics purposes, including ticket revenue, broadcast distribution deals, concession agreements, and facilities rentals would be captured by the state general fund. This would significantly reduce the transparency of the athletics program and create an unnecessary burden on the athletics program, without improving the self-sufficiency of the program.”


In fiscal year 2020, which ended June 30, UH received approximately $16 million in direct revenues from the state and university and an additional $1.78 million from student support. They totaled about 37% of the department’s revenue in a year in which a deficit of $2.9 million was reported by outside auditors.

Young said, “If you eliminate the basis for why athletics needs to generate revenue, what is the incentive for athletics to generate its revenue? All of the revenues would just get dumped into the general fund or taken away. There would be no prioritization or incentive to generate your own funds at that point.”
kapakahi wrote: Fri Feb 12, 2021 5:34 am https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/02/ ... p-it-open/

From the Star-Advertiser....
Measure would help Aloha Stadium pay its bills to keep it open
By Ferd Lewis Today

Without a $1.5 million emergency appropriation from the legislature this session, Aloha Stadium might have to cease operations, lawmakers have been told.

With its ability to hold large events impacted by COVID-19, the facility is seeking budgetary assistance for the first time in its 46-year history in order to finish the current fiscal year that concludes June 30 and stay open in July.

The request is separate from any health and safety repairs and maintenance but does include $300,000 to pay for a forensic structural assessment of the decaying facility.

“I don’t want to be doomsday, but if you have no help from the legislature come the end of the fiscal year, come the end of June, what does that mean?” state Sen. Glenn Wakai (D, Kalihi-Pearl Harbor) asked stadium officials in a hearing on Senate Bill 1033. “Do you just shutter the place and walk away? What happen if you don’t get any kind of assistance?”

Stadium manager Scott Chan said, “I would hate to say that, but the only alternative that I know is we’re going to have to shut down. There no other way for us to pay for our expenses.”

The stadium does not receive an annual appropriation for operations from the state and relies on the revenue from the events it hosts to fund its $9 million annual budget.

Without the upfront money from the state, Comptroller Curt Otaguro termed it a, “You gotta hunt what you eat” arrangement.


But with concerts and other large events canceled since March, swap meets cut back and football games held without fans, the facility has been running at as much as a $4.6 million shortfall.

Deputy Stadium Manager Ryan Andrews said expenses have been trimmed, temporary employees laid off, new revenue sources sought and leftover cash from previous years used to narrow the deficit.

Still, Chan said, “Our rough estimates show us that our cash balance will be in jeopardy. We just want to make sure that we don’t get to that point. We’re hoping that what we do now will carry us a little further.”
kapakahi wrote: Thu Dec 17, 2020 11:50 am
Accordingly, the Aloha Stadium Authority has been operating on their own revenues (essentially as a private business)…..so it shouldn't be a surprise that the pandemic (with no spectator events) has also significantly reduced their financial resources (much like a private business - but actually even worse since any unspent revenue must be returned at the end of the fiscal year to the State's general funds (for re-appropriation by the Legislature) plus the Governor has not designated any CARES relief funds for the stadium) to continue operating & maintaining the facilities. As such, the Aloha Stadium Authority is not allowed by law (as was introduced & enacted by the Legislature) to retain any unspent revenue beyond any fiscal year.....to purposely prevent revenue reserves to be established (i.e., can no longer retain any revenue profits for future expenditure).
kapakahi wrote: Tue Jan 12, 2021 3:03 pm
TheDuke wrote: Tue Jan 12, 2021 2:39 pm
"but actually even worse since any unspent revenue must be returned at the end of the fiscal year to the State's general funds " they can pretend to act like a private business but with a condition like this they can't. There is no motivation to make a profit. In many government agencies you spend it all because if you don't you lose it.
Correct....that there is no motivation to make a profit.

All State government agencies also have to comply with the State's procurement laws (which private businesses don't contend with) in order to spend monies within a given fiscal year which makes it difficult for the Stadium Authority to spend it all (since annual revenues vary year-to-year depending on events held within a fiscal year) .....so the unspent monies just gets funneled back to the State's revolving general funds for re-appropriation by the State Legislature the following legislative session.
According to SA article the 1.5 mil bill died in the legislature. Now they are asking for $10.6 mil to help the old stadium to stay in operation thru 2025. Planned opening of new stadium open in 2023 has been scaled back.
Not doubting, not hating, not loving, just hoping because I am a fan.

🌴“WELCOME HOME COACH”🌴 :hello1: Go get’em Timmy :hello1:

Post Reply