Finances haunt Hula Bowl

But the game's owner says QBs from Florida and BYU are coming

Aloha Stadium is still awaiting payment for expenses from last January's Hula Bowl before officially scheduling the next one at the end of this season. But the college all-star game's owner is moving ahead with plans for the Jan. 14, 2007, game.

Stadium deputy manager Scott Chan said two weeks ago that between $50,000 and $60,000 is owed, and must be paid before the facility can be reserved again. Acting stadium manager Kenneth Lum said he had a conversation with Atlanta-based owner Nick Logan yesterday, and Logan assured him payment would be made.

"We're just waiting for the letter (confirming an arrangement)," Lum said after yesterday's stadium authority meeting. "It looks good."

Another financial issue remains unresolved. Hawaii Pacific Entertainment (HPE) handled promotions and advertising for last year's game. It filed a Circuit Court suit four months ago claiming Logan's company, Pineapple Productions, owes HPE $103,559.54.

"HPE is owed $19,000, not $103,000," Logan said yesterday. "We're actively trying to resolve this issue with HPE."

HPE president Lincoln Jacobe said his attorney keeps him up to date on the case, but has not mentioned any communication with Logan or his attorney since two weeks ago, when the issue was first reported by the Star-Bulletin.

Logan said Jacobe was prepaid most of what was owed his company.

"We have paid Lincoln Jacobe a significant amount of money," Logan said.

"That's not right. He didn't pay for any media services," Jacobe said.

Logan bought the Hula Bowl from Overtime Sports, concluding the sale the night before the game.

Kenneth Hansmire of Overtime was also named in the HPE suit, but Hansmire said he has a contract that proves his company doesn't owe anything.

"We left Hawaii without any debts," said Hansmire, who is now the executive director of the new Border War All-Star game, which will be played in El Paso, Texas. "And we put on the Hula Bowl on Maui the year before without going into debt."

Hansmire business partner Wynn Silberman was present when the game changed hands.

"I sat in with Kenny on the final negotiations that night. I cannot recall any exclusive terms in the contract. Absent an exclusive term, Kenny in no way owes on this business deal," Silberman said.

Hansmire said his contract includes a right of first refusal if Logan should decide to sell the game.

"I love and respect Hawaii and the Hula Bowl and I want to see it succeed, and I think it will. It just didn't work out for us at this time," Hansmire said.

Logan said he has a five-year plan for the game's success

"We'll straighten it out," he said of the financial issues. "Everything will be wrapped up before Thanksgiving."

Pat Hill (Fresno State), Rich Rodriguez (West Virginia), Mark Richt (Georgia) and Art Briles (Houston) have agreed to coach in the game, according to the hulabowlhawaii.com Web site.

Logan said he has received commitments from 25 players, including Florida quarterback Chris Leak and BYU quarterback John Beck. He also said invitations have been issued to five University of Hawaii players, but he did not know which players.

Warriors center Samson Satele said earlier this week he turned down Hula Bowl and Shrine Game invitations because he accepted a Senior Bowl invitation. Other UH seniors likely to receive All-Star game consideration are running back Nate Ilaoa, tackles Tala Esera and Dane Uperesa, safety Leonard Peters, defensive ends Ikaika Alama-Francis and Mel Purcell and wide receiver Ian Sample.

Drift away: The stadium authority agreed to consider allowing auto "drift" racing events in the stadium parking lot.

Drift organizers must provide proof of proper insurance and other paperwork at the next authority meeting, and the board will then vote on whether to allow the event.

A feature of drifting is controlled slides of the cars. There has been no legal venue for the activity locally since Hawaii Raceway Park closed several months ago.

An Aiea neighborhood board representative raised several concerns, including noise.

How's your 40?: Hawaii Athletes in Action is planning a combine at the stadium for high school athletes March 24 and 25.