Problem-solvers
take on traffic
for UH game

Police and stadium officials
map ways to cut the tie-
ups on Saturday

By Leila Fujimori
Star-Bulletin

Hawaii football fans have a few options to avoid traffic and parking tie-ups at Aloha Stadium Saturday when the University of Hawaii faces Fresno State University.

Because a UH win could secure a share of the Western Athletic Conference title, stadium Manager Edwin K. Hayashi predicted the game will draw a crowd of more than 40,000.

But with only 8,000 parking stalls at the stadium, stadium officials and police have made provisions to help motorists find alternatives.

Kam Drive-In and Leeward Community College will provide an additional 4,000 to 5,000 parking stalls, with shuttle service beginning at 4 p.m. Stalls at Kam are $3; those at Leeward are $2.

Hayashi had another alternative in mind. "We wanted to get Ford Island," he said. "We couldn't get it, but it would have taken care of the problem."

Les Keiter, special assistant to the Stadium Authority, has a plan for tailgaters who want to get into the parking lot early -- come in high-occupancy vehicles. Cars of four or more will be allowed to enter the stadium parking lot at 1 p.m. through the Salt Lake Boulevard gate located across Stadium Mall, two hours before the other gates open.

Police will not allow other cars to line up before gates open at 3 p.m.

"Officers will be patrolling nearby to keep traffic moving," Maj. Michael Brede said. "We will have an ample supply of officers there to handle the crowd, and they are manning key intersections."

Brede said traffic has improved after the problems encountered with the first game of the season. Stadium officials have been meeting with police every week since then and will meet again tomorrow to finalize plans when they get a better idea of attendance numbers.

An alternative to driving is to take the bus.

"Ticket sales have been steady, but nothing spectacular," said Ainsley Paki, box office manager. Yesterday afternoon that number was at 29,000, about the same as the previous two games.

"I've noticed in the past, whenever we have more than seven home games, people tend to choose games more carefully," Paki said.

RIDE THE FOOTBALL EXPRESS OR A ROBERTS SHUTTLE Football Express The UH Football Express bus service by TheBus, $2 fare one way, will be running from the following locations: Koko Marina Shopping Center, 4:15 p.m.; 4:30 p.m. Hawaii Kai Park & Ride, 4:33 p.m. Kahala Mall, Waialae and Kilauea avenues, 4:30 p.m. Koko Head and Waialae avenues, 4:30 p.m. Palolo McDonald's, 4:32 p.m. University and Dole, Sinclair Library Circle, 4:40 p.m. Waikiki Shell, Monsarrat and Kalakaua, 4:30 p.m. Ala Moana Center, Kona and Kona Iki streets, 4:30 p.m. Mililani Mauka, Ukuwai and Makaikai streets, 4:30 p.m. Kapolei State Building, 4:30 p.m. Village Park Park & Ride, 4:45 p.m. Across Castle Medical Center, 4:15 p.m. Across Enchanted Lake Shopping Center, 4:20 p.m . Kailua Shopping Center, 4:25 p.m. Aikahi Shopping Center, 4:30 p.m. Across Windward City Shopping Center, 4:40 p.m. Shuttle Service Roberts Hawaii School Bus service will shuttle fans to the stadium for $5 round trip from: Hawaii Kai Park & Ride, 4:45 p.m. Kahala Bank of Hawaii, 5 p.m. Waianae behind Pizza Hut, 4:15 p.m. Nanakuli next to NAPA, 4:15 p.m. Kapolei Theatres, 5 p.m. Reservations are not required. Service is first-come, first-served. Call 832-4886 for further information.