Forget, for a minute, the debate about banning alcohol in the Aloha Stadium parking lot.

The question is: What are they serving at Aloha Stadium Authority meetings?

You have to wonder when the authority voted to proceed with a plan to cut down on drinking and rowdyism inside the stadium by banning alcohol in the 8,000-space parking lot — but not in the 50,000-seat stadium itself.

After impassioned speeches and testimonials about unruly behavior in the stadium aisles — but nary a word about any problems in the parking lot — over the past several months, the plan that goes forward for Gov. Linda Lingle's approval is to clamp down in the lots?

After being advised of the inherent difficulty in enforcing a ban in the parking lot (will sleuths be sniffing out paper cups and containers at tailgate parties?), that's where the authority decides to draw the line?

Of course, you suspect this is less about the best course of action and more about the path of least resistance and financial ramifications.

If they go through with banning alcohol in the parking lot, where there is no concession of beer, wine and mixed drinks, there is no drop in revenue or threat of a suit by the in-stadium vendor. In fact, without competition, the vendor and stadium come out even further ahead.

Meanwhile, the prime tenant, the University of Hawai'i, could take a financial punch. With its crowds already on the decline, witness the meager turnouts for supposed marquee opponents Boise State and Fresno State, the last thing UH needs is to give its long-time fans one more reason to stay home.

And, yet, that's probably what any measure that limits alcohol at the institution that has become tailgating would end up doing.

The initial intention of reducing alcohol-related problems in the stadium was a good one and greeted as long overdue by those tired of miscreant behavior. Indeed, nobody wants to have beer sloshed over them or endure what can happen when people around you overindulge. Too many people say they have already sworn off UH games because of such experiences. Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona and UH interim president David McClain have recounted disturbing first-hand stories.

Curiously, however, there has been next to no testimony about problems in the parking lot. McClain, in fact, has been on the record as questioning the need of a parking lot ban and how one could be enforced.

And while there is some evidence that the state administration's tough talk has been having an impact this year, stadium officials still reported 12 people were booted from the stadium during the Boise State game for various offenses.

The stadium still has some serious alcohol issues to deal with and the current proposal doesn't look like the answer.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.