CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM University of Hawaii football coach June Jones, right, set up a play for the defense yesterday during drills. Tomorrow’s game against Boise State starts at 4 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.

Zero tolerance

Aloha Stadium will deal swiftly with any unruly fans at the sold-out football game

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Hooligans will be booted.

That's the bottom line as Aloha Stadium officials announced a "zero tolerance" policy against violence or threatening behavior at tomorrow's sold-out University of Hawaii football game.

Fans caught throwing things or acting inappropriately will be escorted out or dealt with accordingly, the stadium said in a news release.

"There's a lot of emotion involved, so we just need to be geared up for anything that takes place," stadium Manager Scott Chan said. "Our No. 1 priority has always been public safety."

The strict policy was adopted after Fresno State fans complained of rude conduct in the stands during the last home game, Nov. 10.

Stadium Deputy Manager Lois Manin said the 50,000-seat stadium has added between 10 and 15 off-duty police officers and an additional eight to 10 Wackenhut security officers. The stadium usually has 45 to 55 police officers and 30 to 35 security guards during UH games.

Also, the Honolulu Liquor Commission will dispatch all its inspectors to the stadium to monitor any underage drinking and assist security with drinking-related disturbances.

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CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM University of Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan conferred with coach June Jones during practice Tuesday. Brennan will be playing against Boise State tomorrow after recovering from a concussion suffered two games ago.

The Aloha Stadium plans to squash misbehavior at tomorrow's University of Hawaii and Boise State football game, following reports of rude antics by Hawaii fans at the last Warrior home game.

"We've kind of laxed on our policy because we didn't feel it was necessary for us to enforce," said Scott Chan, stadium manager. "Everyone was complying."

But that changed after a Fresno State fan posted online a complaint of Hawaii spectators throwing water bottles and spitting at Fresno State fans during the Nov. 10 home game.

The stadium announced it will enforce its zero-tolerance policy during tomorrow's game through increased security. Fans caught throwing things or acting inappropriately will be escorted out or dealt with accordingly, the stadium said yesterday in a news release.

"There's a lot of emotion involved, so we just need to be geared up for anything that takes place," Chan said. "Our No. 1 priority has always been public safety, and we will not compromise that regardless of what event or what team."

Chan said the extra security is needed for the larger crowd during UH's first sold-out game this season. The nationally televised game between the Warriors, ranked 13th and 14th, and the Broncos, ranked 17th, will determine the Western Athletic Conference championship along with a possible Bowl Championship Series game. Of the 50,000 seats at Aloha Stadium, Boise State fans will fill about 2,000.

"Since we have more guests here, it may require us to have more security in terms of responding in a timely manner," Chan said. "We want to see if we can respond a lot sooner with a sell-out crowd."

Stadium Deputy Manager Lois Manin said the stadium has added between 10 and 15 off-duty police officers and an additional eight to 10 Wackenhut security officers. Usually the stadium has 45 to 55 police officers and 30 to 35 security during UH games.

The stadium has also created a task force to address the problem areas in the stadium, notably the aisles where Hawaii and visiting fans meet. The task force will be addressed with focusing solely on the sections where trouble is expected. Chan said the visiting section in the north end zone will be about two times larger than at the Fresno State game.

If someone is visibly intoxicated and creating an unsafe situation or if a spectator is constantly reminded of using vulgar language that shows disrespect, then that person would be need be addressed, Chan said.

"If they continue to take advantage of the privileges that they're given, then obviously those policies will be strongly enforced," Chan said.

Coach June Jones has also taped a 30-second public service announcement encouraging good sportsmanlike conduct that will be reshown on the Jumbotron at the start of the game.

The city has also said the Honolulu Liquor Commission will be on scene to monitor underage drinking and assist security with drinking-related disturbances.

Traffic control measures set to guide gridlock around game

The Aloha Stadium parking lot is expected to fill up by 1:30 p.m. tomorrow -- more than two hours before the University of Hawaii football game starts, officials warn.

City and Aloha Stadium officials are hoping to alleviate some of the traffic woes around the stadium tomorrow because of the sold-out game and holiday shopping.

The city is increasing traffic control personnel, with technicians manually operating traffic signals at key intersections around the stadium, according to a news release. The Traffic Management Center will provide updates to radio stations.

Approaching the stadium, motorists can find traffic updates on ESPN 1420 AM. Stadium traffic supervisor Engel Garcia will report traffic conditions and direct drivers to alternate sites after gates close.

The stadium has hired off-duty police officers to monitor the gates today and tomorrow. Vehicles cannot park overnight to enter the parking gates.

After the parking gate along Salt Lake Boulevard closes, the far right lane on the road will be for vehicles with parking passes only.

"We are expecting the parking lot to be full between 1 o'clock and 1:30," said stadium Manager Scott Chan in a news release. "Vehicles with parking passes only will be allowed into the gates. At that point all other vehicles will be directed to alternate sites."

Motorists heading east on Kamehameha Highway may make a U-turn before the Essex Road intersection at the discretion of the on-site HPD officer.