Beer ban
not expected
at stadium
this season
A task force will evaluate the
effect of halting alcohol sales
Beer is expected to flow for at least one more University of Hawaii football season at Aloha Stadium, and fans have been warned their behavior could dictate if the tap runs dry.
Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona pushed to ban liquor during University of Hawaii football games at a meeting with the Stadium Authority yesterday.
The task force, made up of three board members, will make its first report at the Sept. 29 board meeting. But even if they make a recommendation, the full board cannot vote on it until its next meeting, probably at the end of October.
It will take at least 45 days after that, and probably longer, before any rule change can go through the lengthy review and public-hearing process before finally taking effect.
The last UH football game is scheduled for Dec. 3 against San Diego State.
Stadium Authority Chairman Kevin Chong Kee said UH fans should be on notice that their behavior this season will play a role in whatever the board ultimately decides.
"The fans have the ball," Chong Kee said. If drunken fans continue to misbehave, "it will be an easy decision for the board."
The task force was formed after about three hours of public testimony and debate.
Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, who supports the ban on alcohol sales in the stadium and during tailgating parties in the parking lot, told the board, "We need to come out of denial first of all that we have a problem with alcohol at the stadium."
Aiona recalled one game when a fan tumbled more than 23 rows past his seat to the bottom of the stadium and then ran back up the stairs to try buying another beer.
The lieutenant governor had pushed to have the ban take effect before the Sept. 3 UH season opener against the University of Southern California.
But UH Interim President David McClain said the authority has recognized the problem and that a task force is a good first step.
"If making laws is like making sausage, you have to put the meat in the grinder first," McClain said.
McClain said he will probably stop serving alcohol in the UH president's box this season to set an example.
Carol McNamee, chairwoman of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii, also urged the board to adopt the ban.
"If we as adults are incapable of enjoying a two- or three-hour football game without beer or other alcoholic beverages, then we are sending a dangerous message to our youth," McNamee said.
She added that spectators drinking to excess translates to high-risk impaired drivers on the road.
Small-business owner James Von Rohr said as someone who has been sober for more than five years, he understands both sides of the argument. But because his business, Poke-2-Go, involves selling poke at the stadium, he is against the alcohol ban.
"A ban on alcohol at the stadium for my business would be catastrophic," Von Rohr said.
During its discussions, the nine-member board appeared split on whether to pursue a full alcohol ban or to compromise on a lesser measure, such as stopping alcohol sales earlier or stiffer enforcement of existing laws.
Stadium Authority member Marvin Fong said he was concerned about "penalizing the majority" for the actions of a few. "I think it (a ban) is the ultimate solution if nothing else works," he said.
But Kay Ahina said she thought the board should take a stronger position to address the problem.
Other board members noted alcohol sales during UH games amount to more than $250,000 a year and that the board needs time to discuss the financial impact and to talk to Center Plate about renegotiating the beer contract, which runs through 2011.
Aloha Stadium Security Chief Herbert Naone said stadium authorities will end alcohol sales early if the crowd becomes too rowdy.
He said the stadium usually requests about 50 police officers inside the stadium and 20 outside during games. If fans are caught being obnoxious, they are escorted into the tunnels where they are calmed down, interviewed and photographed before being escorted out of the stadium. If a formal complaint is filed, they can be arrested.
"If UH is winning, you have a happy crowd," Naone said about drinking fans. "If UH is losing, you have an ugly crowd."
Ex-player pins
blame on UH
It's been more than 20 years since Dirk Soma played baseball at the University of Hawaii, but he took some full swings yesterday at Aloha Stadium.
Soma ripped the UH administration and football program, holding everyone from Interim President David McClain to unofficial mascot Vili the Warrior responsible for what many say is an unsuitable environment for fans at Warriors games.
He was among the speakers at yesterday's Stadium Authority meeting that turned into a public forum on a proposed alcohol ban during UH games.
"I'm against a ban," Soma said. "I'm in favor of holding President David McClain, athletic director Herman Frazier, coach June Jones and the football team accountable for the unsportsmanlike actions of their players and their mascot Vili the Warrior," Soma said.
Soma said fighting in the stands is caused by the team's attitude, not alcohol drinking by fans.
UH players brawled with opponents after Aloha Stadium games against Cincinnati in 2002 and Houston in 2003. Some fans got involved.
"Fans react to what's happening on the field, the lack of discipline of players and an inability to control the players. There is disrespect of opposing players, and their fans as well," said Soma, who said he goes to "two or three" home UH football games each year.
"The environment has been created that incites fans to be acting the way they have been. Alcohol is not the problem. Undisciplined action of UH student-athletes, lack of control by UH coaches and administrators, and crass and deplorable displays on the field by Vili the Warrior are the problem."
Soma said the Warrior, Vili Fehoko, incited fans to violence at a UH road game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas two years ago.
"He was grabbing his crotch in front of the Las Vegas fans, taking a towel from their bench and using it to wipe his behind," Soma said. "I've also seen crass actions made to visiting fans (at Aloha Stadium)."
After complaints by opposing mascots and cheerleaders, the Warrior, Fehoko, has been given guidelines the past three years, Frazier said.
"What Vili can do and cannot do are spelled out," said Frazier, who added that Fehoko works under renewable one-year contracts.
When asked for thoughts on Soma's other statements, Frazier said, "I'm not going to respond to that."
Jones and Fehoko were not available for comment last night.
Soma said he likes to have "one or two" beers at games.
He said he spoke yesterday "as a private citizen." He also said he feels he has a bigger stake in the issue as a former UH athlete.
"We were taught to try to uphold the reputation and represent the university," Soma said. "We were given a code of conduct.
"We all also have a responsibility to always be respectful of the people around us (at games) as fans and cognizant of the message we're sending to kids," said the father of two.
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