The former head of security at Aloha Stadium who had been on paid vacation following his federal indictment in April on allegations of extortion is "no longer employed by the state," according to interim deputy stadium manager Scott Chan.

Herb Naone's last day at the stadium was at the "end of July," and the stadium has started the lengthy civil service hiring process for Naone's replacement, Chan said.

"We've decided to move forward," said Chan, who said the search began Aug. 1, and could last anywhere from four to six months.

Chan did not give details of Naone's departure. Naone and his attorney, Christopher R. Evans, did not immediately return calls yesterday.

Aloha Stadium will start the University of Hawai'i football season this month without a permanent security chief as the 50,000-seat facility implements new security procedures.

Hawai'i hosts UNLV on Sept. 16, in its home opener.

In the meantime, deputy security chief Andrew Chang and Ed Spiezio, the stadium's Wackenhut site supervisor, are coordinating security duties.

"Right now, we feel confident and comfortable with the people we have at this point," Chan said.

Starting with the UNLV-UH game, new security procedures will be in place, Chan said.

The stadium will provide a "fan safety phone line" where spectators can use their mobile phones to anonymously call the stadium security desk (483-2806) and report unacceptable fan behavior and emergencies.

Police will respond to trouble spots, Chan said.

"The biggest benefit is the fan," said Aloha Stadium spokesman Patrick Leonard, who added some spectators are afraid to point out offenders because of retaliation. "Hopefully, people will take advantage of being able to anonymously call."

Hotline details will be displayed alongside the stadium's JumboTron. Also, security procedures will be announced via mounted speakers near stadium entry gates, Leonard said.

"We want to reassure our fans that their needs will be met, and that they're attending a facility that's safe and secure," Chan said.

In recent seasons, rowdy behavior by some spectators has marred UH home football games.

The Aloha Stadium Authority proposed a parking-lot alcohol ban last season as a remedy, but after several months of discussion, the Authority voted against the ban, and instead looked at such options as tougher penalties for offenders.

Notes: The Aloha Stadium Authority voted Kevin Chong Kee to remain as chairman for two years, and voted board member Kenneth B. Marcus to the vice-chair position. Chong Kee is president of Kevin's Electric. Marcus is a partner at the Honolulu law firm Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher.

The board also welcomed new member Kathryn Inouye, the chief operating officer and part-owner of Kobayashi Group, a real-estate development firm in Honolulu.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.