‘Hell of a lot
of dirt’ will fix
Wahine stadium

The field will be raised to
allow all spectators to see

By Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin

It's a dirty job, but someone's going to have to do it if spectators are to see a full University of Hawaii women's softball game at the new stadium.

The state will fix the problems at the faulty women'smr6 Hugh

Yoshida softball stadium by piling dirt and raising the playing field between 4 and 5 feet.

The $1.2 million softball stadium was built this year.

Nearly all of the 1,200 seats don't have a clear view of the field, because the stands are too high and too close to the field.

University of Hawaii Athletic Director Hugh Yoshida said yesterday: "I have no idea how much dirt is going to be needed. It's a hell of a lot of dirt."

Gordon Matsuoka, state public works engineer, said the architect who designed the stadium, Bryce Uyehara, is preparing bids for the project.

Matsuoka said he didn't know if the new project would be paid for by the state or the architect.

Matsuoka and Yoshida didn't know how much of the field needed to be raised or how long it would take.

Matsuoka, who works for the state Department of Accounting and General Services, said the state has not yet approved the final design changes needed to correct the stadium's flaws.

Yoshida said the plan to raise the field will improve the sightlines for fans in the stadium and will actually have the benefit of leveling the field.

The softball field now slopes toward the outfield. By raising the field, the engineers will be able to level it.

The one other benefit of the rebuilt field will be that it will have new grass, allowing for the maintenance department to have an easier time controlling weeds, Yoshida said.