More fans, less gridlock
Mobile Bowl steps aside
expected for UH games
Rainbows wary of NavyBy Treena Shapiro
Star-BulletinUniversity of Hawaii and Aloha Stadium officials have been disappointed with Rainbow football ticket sales since an opening-game sellout this season.
But with the UH guaranteed at least a share of the Western Athletic Conference title after last week's victory over Fresno State, they think football fever will bring fans back to the stadium.
"It's a tremendous season they're having," said Les Keiter, special assistant to the stadium authority. "They won the title in a double overtime victory ... a euphoria has spread over the state. We've never had anything like it before."
The excitement has Keiter and others expecting the turnout at the two remaining home games to exceed 40,000. Attendance last Saturday was 35,417. The Rainbows face Navy tomorrow and Washington State on Nov. 27.
The factors cited for less than expected attendance include:
Concern generated by gridlock and inadequate parking at the season-opener against Southern California.
The price of an additional home game (nine home games this year vs. eight in previous years).
A tape-delayed TV broadcast that starts at 9 p.m., much earlier than before because the games start earlier.
Residual disappointment from three losing seasons.
"Parking has always been a concern," UH Athletic Director Hugh Yoshida acknowledged. "People want to park in close proximity to the game."
But fans at last week's game said the situation has improved since the the opener. Jody Yamauchi said she arrived in enough time to tailgate and cook before the game. "It was definitely worth the wait," she said.
Dan Rutt, who has attended all the games this season, said it took him 90 minutes to get to the USC game from Pearl City. He left at 4:30 p.m., expecting to have a leisurely dinner at the stadium before the game. Instead, he found himself entering the gates during the national anthem.
But after the Fresno State game, Rutt said traffic has been "good. Only the USC game was terrible."
Stadium Manager Edwin Hayashi said more people would come if they knew traffic conditions had improved.
Jim Donovan, assistant athletic director at UH, noted that 39,500 attended the Rice game, and there were no traffic problems. He anticipated turnouts at the remaining games to be 42,000, with a similar lack of driving woes.
What has helped, Donovan said, is opening the lower Halawa gate at 1 p.m. to high occupancy vehicles, setting up extra parking at Kam Drive-In and Leeward Community College, and encouraging people to use shuttle buses.
He said police have been very proactive. "They're actually directing people through red lights to help traffic."
The UH Football Express bus service by TheBus, $2 fare one way, will be running from the following locations: 'BOW BUSES
Lunalilo Home Road and Kalanianaole Highway, 4:30 p.m.
Hawaii Kai Park & Ride, 4:35 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 bandstand area, 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.
Roberts Hawaii School Bus service also will shuttle fans to the stadium for a $5 round trip from:
Hawaii Kai Park & Ride, 4:45 p.m.
Kahala Bank of Hawaii, 5 p.m.
Waianae behind Pizza Hut, 4:30 p.m.
Nanakuli next to NAPA, 4:45 p.m.
Kapolei Theatres, 5 p.m.Reservations are not required. Service is first-come, first-serve. Call 832-4886 for further information.