Controlled collapse of Aloha Stadium

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Development of the new Aloha Stadium Entertainment District marked another milestone today.

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Construction crews took down the third section of the bowl in a technique called “tripping.” Tripping is a safe, controlled collapse that is used to remove structural supports.

Last week, crews “tripped” another section of the bowl, but this time, dozens of supporters spanning several generations were invited to witness the demolition. They came out to bid aloha to a piece of history and celebrate a new era for UH and the community.

“So many great memories for so many families in the community and the state, but when you see it coming down, it’s like, man, we’re excited for new memories,” said UH Manoa head football coach Timmy Chang.

“We’ve been talking about redoing the stadium for 25 years and so it’s good to finally see something happening,” said June Jones, retired NFL player and former UH Manoa head football coach.

Developer Stanford Carr said the $650 million public-private project is on track for a 2029 opening with 31,000 seats and a potential 10,000 seat expansion.

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“We need more money to build the stadium. We’re very cognizant of that, but we’re poising the project along first, starting with the demolition,” he said. “We’re at 60% schematic design. we’ll continue with the schematics, refining it until we go to design development, and then, partial construction.”

“This is a community asset and so we want all of the community, to invite them to be a part of it and involved.” Carr added.

“Oftentimes in Hawaii we get a pessimistic attitude towards construction and we start thinking that because of our relatively isolated geography that things are going to take 5 million years,” said interim stadium manager Mike Yadao. “They don’t, and they don’t have to, that we have the expertise, we have the local human capital and materials to be able to build a great stadium and a thriving stadium district.”

Carr hopes to see Senate Bill 3218 pass this legislative session, because it could help cover construction costs for housing, utilities and commercial areas around the stadium.

The measure would allow all counties to use private capital to fund public infrastructure improvements.

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Lawmakers have until next Friday to move on the bill or it dies.