HONOLULU — This is homecoming week for the University of Hawaii.
Let’s revisit some UH-related issues.—Ducks in the desert “Sin City ” is the “city that never sleeps ” and where “what happens here, stays here ” and also “what happens here, only happens here.” Similar to the guy who says “I love you ” to everyone and everything, it is a place where every show—and buffet—is No. 1. And, of course, it is the self-promoted “Ninth Island.” (There are 137 islands that make up Hawaii, but “138th Island ” is not as catchy a slogan.)
It is why Las Vegas should serve as host to the 2024 football opener between Hawaii and Oregon.
That Week Zero game is set to be played next Aug. 24 at the 15, 300-seat Ching Complex on UH’s Lower Campus. Counting the students who entered unchecked through the back gate, there was a near-capacity crowd for the Warriors’ home opener against Stanford this year. That was a nice turnout, but considering all full-time UH students already prepaid through semester fees and the number of comp tickets issued, the profit margin had limited potential.
But move next year’s opener to Las Vegas, and UH, as the designated home team, could increase revenue. Easier travel will bring more Oregon fans. Hawaii fans, of course, will turn out. UH’s recon showed that rent would be affordable using only Allegiant Stadium’s lower bowl. UNLV, which plays its home games at Allegiant, has not booked a Week Zero game. The Rebels open Aug. 31 at Houston.
And because it is traditionally a slow visitors period from late June to August, Las Vegas hotels could sponsor the game or help subsidize UH’s expenses.—Pictures plus Remember that game where somebody starts a story, then the next person adds to it, and so forth ? That’s a common planning process in Hawaii. But this time, UH is bringing in consultants to evaluate and craft several plans for the Lower Campus, where the athletic department offices and facilities are located. But unlike the Ching Complex, which does not have a final vision, this time there will be budget-specific projections.
Potential projects will be based on available and projected funds, ranging from large public-private contributions to, we suppose, huli huli chicken sales. If there is a lot of money, there could be a widespread overhaul ; if there is little, maybe the department gets a new mini van.
The thing is, for the first time in forever, UH is exploring many paths to its future.—Even playing field The football Warriors’ hope is a new practice field will be available with any proposed projects. Last week, the Warriors had their final practice on the grass field. All their practices now will be on the Ching Complex. That will lead to staggered practice times because the offense, which incorporates deep pass patterns, needs more than half a field for some drills.
On the upside, UH’s soccer team is receiving some well-deserved attention and a much-needed home field. The program was created in 1994, in large part, to boost the scholarship numbers for UH’s female student-athletes. But since 2000, the Rainbow Wahine have had to deal with ‘Ewa-bound traffic for home matches at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
The two-level grass fields—one for football, one for soccer—are being evened out to create a facility for the soccer and track and field programs. The new configuration will run mauka-makai, enabling surrounding stands to be erected. When the soccer facility is completed, the Wahine will move closer to true equity.