New Aloha Stadium Plans Include Potential for Expanded Seating and Accelerated Opening Date

The redevelopment of the iconic Aloha Stadium is progressing, with recent discussions highlighting the potential for increased seating capacity and an earlier opening date.

 

Initially, the new stadium is set to accommodate 22,500 spectators. However, Governor Josh Green emphasized that this figure is just the beginning.

 

"22,500 seats is a start," he stated. "We envision this as phase one, aiming to expand to 35,000 or even 38,000 seats over time."

 

Governor Green expressed confidence in developer Stanford Carr, noting their longstanding relationship and trust. "Stanford is a great developer. We have incredible trust and history with him," he said.

 

The project has experienced timeline adjustments. Originally slated to open in time for the 2028 University of Hawaii football season, the completion date has been pushed to March 2029. Despite this, Governor Green remains optimistic about accelerating the schedule.

 

"We are still talking about the possibilities of getting it ready for 2028," he added. "We want to be cautious about that. I don't want to put too much pressure on them, but Stanford would like that to happen."

 

To support these enhancements, additional private investments are being sought. "He's [Carr] bringing in some other investors," Governor Green noted. "He's been really working hard, as have I, to find another big partner so they can put in $300, $400, $500 extra million dollars and not just accelerate the project, but get it big enough so that we are a major Division I player."

 

The project, initially approved in 2019, has faced delays, including a postponement by former Governor David Ige in 2022. Governor Green acknowledged these setbacks and emphasized the importance of moving forward efficiently.

 

"The stadium should have been teed up many years ago and just approved," he said. "Because if you go, you don't have the delays and the extra costs. So, what I'm trying to do is get our team super motivated to get this done."

 

He underscored the significance of a modern stadium for Hawaii's tourism and sports sectors. "Any major state that wants to attract, you know, serious tourism, lots of travelers, concerts, football, maybe major league soccer, rugby. You have to have a good stadium, and so we will have one."

 

Demolition of the existing Aloha Stadium is slated to begin this fall, potentially marked by a celebratory event. "We intend to start demolishing this current stadium, the Aloha Stadium, maybe even with a little fireworks show," Governor Green mentioned. "I'm hearing from some of the guys just to celebrate progress and thank people this fall."

 

As the project advances, the collaboration between state officials and private developers aims to deliver a state-of-the-art facility that meets the needs of the community and positions Hawaii as a premier destination for major events.