Swap meet may vacate stadium for University of Hawaii games
| • For once, stadium, UH on same page |
University of Hawai'i football could have Aloha Stadium to itself for Saturday home games this fall under a new swap meet contract scheduled to be announced this week.
As part of its request for proposal, the Aloha Stadium Authority asked prospective bidders to "take into consideration" vacating the stadium on UH game days, according to Kevin Chong Kee, authority chairman.
The Warriors will have six regular-season Saturday home games. UH's season-opener against Central Arkansas is on a Friday. Chong Kee said the contractor, subject to negotiation, could be given other dates to replace those made exclusive to UH football.
The swap meet is billed as "Hawai'i's largest open air flea market" on the stadium Web site. More than 600 merchants take part. Swap meets are held Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Saturday hours have been from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., although they have been modified for UH football Saturdays.
Still, a succession of UH athletic directors has sought exclusive use of the facility on game days since the early 1980s, when the swap meets began. They have argued that the presence of the swap meet has reduced tailgating time for fans and the often competing flow of cars into and out of the stadium has added to traffic problems.
Jim Donovan, the current athletic director, was able to secure exclusive use for the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl while executive director of that game. Donovan said he has "discussed with (the stadium) on several occasions" a similar plan for UH and is awaiting word on the new contract.
Previously, swap meets have been suspended during the Pro Bowl.
Stadium manager Scott Chan is scheduled to announce the awarding of a multiyear contract at Thursday's monthly authority meeting.
He was not immediately available for comment yesterday.
Stadium spokesman Lois Manin said five bids were received. Centerplate Catering Services has held the contract since 2004, when it succeeded Consolidated Amusement Co.
Aloha Stadium grossed about $5.4 million from operation of the swap meet in 2008, Manin said.
