Jason Genegabus
LES MURAKAMI
STADIUM
Location: 1337 Lower Campus Road
(University of Hawaii at Manoa)
Phone: 944-2697
SOMETHING THAT'S always bothered me about this rock is the lack of places to grab a drink outdoors. Think about it for a second -- how many spots can you think of (other than the hotel bars in Waikiki) that allow people to enjoy Hawaii's natural beauty while knocking a few back without having to spend a lot of money? A bleacher with a view
Jason Genegabus
jason@starbulletin.comIt took a trip back to the Barfly's baseball roots to discover my new favorite place to get some fresh air and perfect my technique for 32-ounce curls. Les Murakami Stadium, home to the University of Hawaii Rainbow baseball team, is a hidden gem for people who want to enjoy a cold beer and a great view of Diamond Head.
I actually spent a pretty good amount of time watching games at Murakami Stadium growing up -- my dad bought season tickets for a few years, and I have vivid memories of taking part in Coach Les' summer baseball camps as a kid. I even got a chance to play on the carpet during all-star tournaments and preseason games in high school.
Nowadays the Barfly lands at UH for a different reason. Instead of first base, my position is upstairs in the orange seats down the third-base line. There isn't a bad seat in the house at Murakami Stadium, and crowds are nothing like those from the Rainbows' heyday when people would buy standing-room-only tickets to see guys like Mario Monaco, Steve Otani or John Matias play.
Here's a tip: Don't waste your time picking out the perfect seat at the ticket office when you arrive; just buy a seat in the red section upstairs and head inside. More than 90 percent of the time, you'll be able to move freely and sit wherever you want.
STAR-BULLETIN / 1995
There isn't a bad seat in the house at Les Murakami Stadium. Enjoy the all-American sport while sipping on an ice-cold brew.
Before you take a load off, however, make sure to stop at one of the two beer stations on either end of the stadium concourse. Flash a valid ID at the concession staff, and they'll get you hooked up with a wristband that enables you to purchase a frosty adult soda. In addition to Bud Light, Coors Light and Steinlager, Gordon Biersch Marzen also flows from the portable taps at Murakami Stadium. Prices aren't the best in town, but $6.25 for a 32-ounce cup of Gordon Biersch is reasonable enough for the Barfly.
The stadium concession's partnership with Gordon Biersch also crosses over to food offerings during baseball season. Instead of looking like something you could prepare in a microwave at a cafeteria, the hamburger and garlic fries ($4) I tried actually looked appetizing and tasted pretty good, too. And they even serve plate lunches now! I couldn't believe I was at a baseball game last week -- digging into a plate of panko-crusted furikake mahimahi ($5.50) with a cold beer made me feel like I should have been listening to Jim Leahey and Pal Eldridge call the game on television in a bar.
Even if you've never really been much of a baseball fan, the overall beer-drinking experience at Murakami Stadium is worth the $6 you'll spend on a ticket to get in.
There's something unique about lounging outside in Manoa with a beer in hand, enjoying the scenery and heckling visiting players. The Rainbows return from a road trip later this month for a seven-game homestead, so I'll see you at the ballpark!
How much for a Bud Light?
$5 gets you a 32-ounce cup of Bud Light; Coors Light and Steinlager are also available at the same price, while a cup of Gordon Biersch Marzen will set you back $6.25. Wine is also served at Murakami Stadium.
Get things to do?
If watching the game and enjoying the surroundings at UH aren't enough, make it your personal quest to get on television. Act really silly between innings, and there's a chance you might show up on KFVE during the broadcast. And baseball isn't complete without a few hecklers -- have a couple beers and then let the opposing team know how you really feel about them.
What about the grinds?
All the normal stadium fare is on the menu, with a few notable additions. Don't feel like an old standby like chili cheese nachos ($3)? Try the chicken breast sandwich with fries ($5.50) or portabello mushroom sandwich with salad ($6.50) instead. Plate lunches are also available during the game; recent menu items included guava barbecue ribs ($6.50) and baked Italian chicken ($5.50).
And the help?
While it would be nice to have people hustling beers and picking up after you in the stands, there's nothing of the sort at Murakami Stadium. While all the staff I've come into contact with have been nothing but polite, you're still going to have to get your own food and drinks here, unless you bring someone along to do all the legwork for you.
Barfly appears every Friday in Star-Bulletin Weekend.
E-mail Jason Genegabus at jason@starbulletin.com with suggestions of neighborhood bars to visit.
