Remember when just 25,661 fans turned out for the University of Hawai'i's football game with Boise State in October? And only a meager 23,157 found their way into Aloha Stadium for Fresno State?

Well, it turns out the athletic department does. It did not miss the pointed message behind all those empty seats. It has not disregarded the haunting sounds of silence in Halawa from some of the smallest home crowds in head coach June Jones' seven seasons.

In announcing its completed 2006 football schedule yesterday, along with holding the line on the face value of its season tickets and the premium seat charges it tacks on to secure the better locations, UH is offering a bonus game:

Eastern Illinois.

OK, let's keep the celebration down. As blue light specials go, it's not exactly Wisconsin. Or even Illinois.

In fact, Eastern Illinois is Division I-AA. But unlike the Panthers' last visit here in 2002, a 61-36 UH win, or appearances by other I-AA schools, Appalachian State, Florida Atlantic, etc., it will be a freebie for season-ticket holders. UH says they'll get the eight-game home package for the same price as last year's seven-game deal.

Of course, last year's schedule also included then-two-time national champion Southern California plus Wisconsin, Fresno State and Boise State.

The 2006 offer that UH said it will mail out with its season-ticket renewals next week isn't the rollback of those $200-per-seat — in some locations — premium fees that so many steamed longtime season-ticket holders might have wished for. But, then, you knew there was as much chance of that happening as a return to the days of $1.50-a-gallon gas.

After all, UH still has that string of four deficits to balance and a $1 million loan to pay off, someday.

Still, offering up somebody, even Eastern Illinois, is a gesture. "An appreciation," athletic director Herman Frazier calls it, saying it has long been his intention, once the premium seat charge was fully installed, to offer incentives to loyal fans.

Indeed, UH could have used the puka on the schedule to play a sixth road game for the right money. Frazier said Utah, Brigham Young and West Virginia all tendered offers, though apparently not overwhelming ones. At this late date, Eastern Illinois, a ranked team last year, was the best of what UH said was left and keeps the road schedule at a manageable five games.

Taken with the online options — including reselling and managing ticket accounts — UH said it will offer season-ticket holders, it is reaching out to fans. It shows UH recognizes the stake fans share in the program.

Winning back those who left in the face of last year's premium surcharges might be more difficult. But after the exodus of last season there had to be a start.

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