Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Must a person allow his or her backpack to be searched upon entering Aloha Stadium for UH football games? I thought we had the right to refuse? The security guards "pressure" you to submit to be searched. I resent the intimidation. What are our rights? Bag ‘checks’ voluntary,
necessary at UH games(Two other similar questions and an "auwe" were received on this topic.)
Answer: There is nothing new about the bag "checks," but it remains a major sore point with football fans.
We'll again explain what the policy is and why Aloha Stadium officials insist it's necessary and here to stay, at least for now.
The bag checks -- Aloha Stadium officials insist they are not searches -- mainly occur at UH football games because that's an event where alcohol is allowed. No alcohol is served at high school football games, for example.
You can refuse to have your bag checked and there are people who do so, said a spokesman, who asked not to be identified.
"We will continue to work with" stadium personnel and security guards "to improve customer service," he said.
When asked what's the point of having checks if they're voluntary, the answer was that most people are "usually accommodating." Asked if there is any monitoring of those who do not open their bags, the answer was that every stadium employee has the responsibility "to observe, monitor and report any incident that violates the rules and regulations at Aloha Stadium."
As long as state law and the rules of the Stadium Authority provide for it, "We shall continue to support the bag-check policy," the spokesman said.
The major reason, he said, is to provide a safe environment for everyone. The bag-check policy has "always been in place." But it's because of problems with unruly fans that the stadium began enforcing the rules.
Specifically prohibited are coolers, bottles, cans, alcoholic beverages, foods such as bentos and plate lunches, and "any object that could be harmful if thrown or used as a weapon."
Checking bags is one way to control alcohol consumption, the stadium spokesman said. Alcohol use often leads to "unruly and unacceptable behavior," he said.
Those found carrying prohibited items are asked to take them back to their cars. If they choose to leave the items at the inspection table, the items will be thrown away.
ARAMARK, the stadium's concessionaire, has expanded offerings to provide more of a variety of food and drinks, including offering ethnic foods, the spokesman said.
In defense of its bag-check practice, he said other arenas do similar checks. L.A. Coliseum even requires you to take off your jacket to be checked, he said.
Auwe
To the woman in a green Chevy truck. You cut in front of me and another car at a McDonald's drive-through near Sand Island at lunchtime on Tuesday, Sept. 14. When the other guy honked his horn, you yelled at him and continued to stay in line. No class. No aloha. -- Ken
Mahalo
To the Safferys of Kaneohe for stopping to aid two seniors when they had two flat tires on the Pali Highway shortly after emerging from the Pali tunnels on the Fourth of July. God bless them. -- Ueharas
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