Backpacks, coolers There was a time during University of Hawaii football games when tailgaters cruised around the parking lot looking for the perfect spot, people tried to sneak their own beer in backpacks and halftime meant searching for better seats.
won’t get past gates
at UH opener
Stricter stadium rules are in
Buses available
part reaction to the terrorist attacksBy Rod Antone
rantone@starbulletin.comNot anymore.
New Aloha Stadium rules, some set before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and some set in response to them, are aimed at keeping football fans safe and sound. The first real test for fans will be Saturday, at the UH home-opener against Rice.
"Prior to this terrible tragedy, the stadium personnel weren't that strict," said stadium General Manager Les Keiter, who added that so far the new rules have not affected high school football games played this past weekend.
"Still, people have thanked us and said (they) feel much more comfortable with the security. Our main goal is to provide safety and comfort."
New rules include driving through a specific gate if fans want to park in a specific area. Gone are the days of "going around and around looking for buddies," Keiter said.
Gate 1, the main Salt Lake gate, will be the entry point for the bus lot and parking areas 1 through 7. Gate 2, off Kamehameha Highway, leads to parking areas 8 through 14. Gate 3, off Kahuapaani Street across from Stadium Mall, will lead to the upper Halawa parking lot. Gate 4, off Salt Lake Boulevard across Kmart, leads to the lower Halawa parking lot and Gate 5 leads to the Kamehameha Highway parking lot only.
Another security upgrade will be at the gates into the stadium itself. No coolers, backpacks or bags of any kind will be allowed, except for "small purses," which Keiter said will be searched by security.
"There will be exceptions for such items such as diapers, medicine and raingear," he said. "That's common sense and we'll make those decisions at the gate. But if you have the bag, we will tell you to take the bag back to the car."
Keiter said Honolulu police officers will be on hand to help enforce the bag rule if need be. HPD officials said they have not yet made a final decision as to how many officers will be working inside stadium gates.
Finally, Keiter said it is "absolutely necessary" for fans to have their tickets to show ushers when going to their seats in the orange and blue sections of the stadium. Tickets are also a must if fans leave at halftime and want to return to their seats.
"We never did that before, but now we do," Keiter said. "Everything we're doing is for the safety and welfare of our fans."
Special CityExpress buses to Saturday's UH game are available for $3 in each direction. The Football Express buses will make passenger pickups at the following times and locations: Football Express buses
offer rides to stadium>> Ala Moana Center, near Kona and Kona Iki Streets, 3 and 4 p.m.
>> Downtown at the Alapai express bus terminal across from the Honolulu Municipal Building, 3:10 and 4:40 p.m.
>> Hawaii Kai on Keahole Street near the Kalanianaole park and ride, 3, 3:30, 4 and 4:30 p.m.
>> Kahala Mall at Waialae and Kilauea avenues, 3, 3:40, 4:10 and 4:30 p.m.
>> Kaimuki at Koko Head and Waialae avenues, in front of Liliuokalani Elementary, 3 and 4:30 p.m.
>> Palolo at Palolo and Waialae avenues at McDonald's, 3:02 and 4:32 p.m.
>> UH at Sinclair Library Circle, 3:10 and 4:30 p.m.
>> Kapolei, 601 Kamokila Blvd. at the Kahuhihewa State Building, 3 and 4:30 p.m.
>> Mililani Mauka, on Ukuwai Street at Makaikai park and ride, 3:15 and 4:30 p.m.
>> Village Park at the Royal Kunia park and ride, 3 and 4:45 p.m.
>> Waikiki along Monsarrat Avenue at the Kapiolani Park bandstand, 3 and 4:30 p.m.
>> Windward Oahu at five locations:* Opposite the Castle Medical Center on Kalanianaole Highway and Kailua Road, 2:45 and 4:15 p.m.
* Opposite the Enchanted Lake Shopping Center at Keolu Drive and Hele Street, 2:50 and 4:20 p.m.
* Kailua Shopping Center at Kailua Road and Hahani Street, 2:55 and 4:25 p.m.
* Aikahi Park Shopping Center at Kaneohe Bay Drive and Mokapu Road, 3 and 4:30 p.m.
* Opposite the Windward City Shopping Center at Kaneohe Bay Drive and Makalani Street, 3:10 and 4:40 p.m.
