Proposed ban on alcohol
at UH football games
picks up momentum

Aiona and McClain say they plan to talk to the
Aloha Stadium Authority in the next few days

Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona and University of Hawaii interim president David McClain agreed yesterday to move forward toward banning alcohol sales at UH home football games -- starting with the Sept. 3 opener against USC at Aloha Stadium.

McClain said he plans to meet with Aloha Stadium Authority chairman Kevin Chong Kee "in the next few days," and Aiona wants the authority to vote on the issue at its Aug. 25 meeting.

"We have to get 10 board members to vote on a proposal, and that shouldn't take long," Aiona said, after a meeting with McClain yesterday at the state capitol. "I believe if there is a public hearing it will be at the next meeting."

Chong Kee was not available yesterday, stadium spokesman Patrick Leonard said.

Aiona wants to also ban drinking alcohol in the stadium parking lot.

McClain said the tailgating alcohol ban might be problematic.

"I'm certainly in favor of a ban within the stadium. And I'm in favor of a ban in the parking lot if it's enforceable," he said.

Aiona said he does not know how much it would cost to police a no-drinking policy in the parking lot.

Both said they agree on the philosophical merits of an alcohol ban, and that it is a national trend.

"This is not something I just dreamed up," said Aiona, who then named legendary coaches spearheading a nationwide ban. "Tom Osborne, Dean Smith, John Wooden. They have all been advocates of this the past six or seven years. They have a strong initiative going to ask the NCAA to ban the sales and advertising of alcohol at any NCAA-sanctioned event. The statement they're making on the national level, that's the same statement we're making now."

UH does not make money on the sale of any food or drink at Aloha Stadium. The stadium's contracted concessionaire, Centerplate, would stand to lose revenue if there is a ban. Centerplate regional vice president Lois Sismar declined comment.

McClain said he does not know if UH will give refunds to ticket purchasers who don't want to watch football at a dry stadium if it comes to that.

Aiona said he has received positive and negative feedback on the issue.

Aiona has also asked for a ban on alcohol-related advertising at UH sports events. McClain said that would cost the school $200,000 per year, but he is looking for ways to replace the income -- including lower rent from the stadium.

McClain said there are no plans to stop alcohol sales at UH basketball, volleyball and baseball games at the Stan Sheriff Center and Les Murakami Stadium.

It is not clear how a ban might affect TV and radio ads on UH sports broadcasts.

"Obviously it depends how the rules come down," said KHNL-KFVE general manager John Fink. "But I think it's two different things. Advertising to an adult viewing audience in their own home and signage at the site are two separate things."

Patti Chong, general sales manager at KKEA-1420 said she did not know yet how ad sales might be impacted. But she is confident the station could still sell beer ads even if they could not be during UH broadcasts.

"Our clients in that area are not UH-centric," Chong said.