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Sidelines Kalani Simpson |
FieldTurf really
is powerful stuffTHAT FieldTurf really is the stuff of miracles.
It's the only thing in the world that can keep sports media members from a free lunch.
It was Monday. Media Day at Aloha Stadium. The annual rite of passage in which parking passes are handed out, policies are gone over, stories are asked for to tell the public about any stadium improvements and changes in the upcoming football season.
And, of course, it is ono grinds. It was Les Keiter's idea, God bless him, many years ago. Roll out the buffet, the media can't stay away.
All the Hawaii football game day concessionaires were there -- I had barbecue pork, one scoop rice, some salad, three chicken tenders, two enormous made-to-order burritos and a strawberry smoothie. Fat City.
But back to the story. Back to the FieldTurf. Back to the business of the day.
We got the rundown (50 percent more turnstiles, you can bring in purses again, "express" security checks for fans with no bags, keep alternate parking sites in mind).
And then it was time for questions.
Jim Leahey always has a question. And it is always a very involved, eloquent and well-thought-out question, as you might imagine. Always a tough one. The kind of question many people, truthfully, are too nervous to bring up, but that he can get away with asking. The kind of question many people, truthfully, don't really want to answer, but always do, because this is Jim Leahey, the longtime TV voice of the Rainbows.
Was Aloha Stadium still planning on doing double duty Saturdays this fall with swap meets in the morning and Hawaii football at night?
Um ...
Unfortunately, the answer was yes, meaning football fans can't hit the parking lots until 2:30 p.m.
"We're trying to work out what's best for the vendors as well as for the University of Hawaii," stadium assistant events manager Scott Chan explained.
There. There was the answer. But he wasn't pau yet. The hand went up again.
Cringe. "Yes, Mr. Leahey?"
And then it happened.
"Can we go out onto the field?"
So we did, pouring out into the Aloha Stadium sunshine like kids. We were excused, the free food was waiting.
But it was beautiful, the bright white of sidelines and yard lines painted, end zones marked.
There were lighthearted challenges to 40-yard dash races. Comments on how soft the new surface felt. George Toma talked about the new field's future. Skippa Diaz gave out Skippa-sized hugs.
It was hot as heck, but nobody left, not yet.
This was a football field in August.
It was a miracle.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Kalani Simpson can be reached at ksimpson@starbulletin.com
