COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
MAY 30, 2023
Yesterday, federal, state and county offices were closed as we observed the Memorial Day holiday. On Memorial Day we remember and honor the lives and sacrifies made by those who have served to ensure our freedom.
The 72nd Annual Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony was held yesterday morning at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Pūowaina (Punchbowl). In the days leading up to this ceremony, the City and County of Honolulu – Parks & Recreation organized “Sew a Lei for Memorial Day” sites across the island of O‘ahu where volunteers sewed fresh lei that were then placed upon every gravesite within Puchbowl for Memorial Day.
To promote the “Sew a Lei for Memorial Day” events, the Parks & Recreation also held a Memorial Day poster contest. Featured above is a poster by Kobe Liang who received an Honorable Mention in the 9th – 12th grade division.
Project Update
The project team is very pleased to announce that after months of due diligence by Gov. Josh Green and his administration, a revised approach for NASED has been agreed to. Last week, Gov. Green confirmed the new direction for NASED, with both the new Aloha Stadium and the surrounding district to be delivered as one, integrated public-private-partnership (P3) project.
The stadium portion will be a design-build-operate-maintain contract where the developer will design and build a new stadium using state and private funds. The developer will also have the right to develop a portion of the surrounding district into a mixed-use development in line with the state’s vision and to use revenue from this to help subsidize the construction of the new stadium as well as fund ongoing stadium operation and maintenance costs over the life of the operations contract.
This new approach transfers the responsibility of long-term funding and cost overruns to the private sector, reducing the risk of financial burden on local taxpayers. Effective risk allocation is a key tenet of P3 projects, which places each risk in the hands of the party best equipped to manage that risk.
In addition, design-build-operate-maintain represents the preferred model after months of analysis. The state plans to issue the new Request for Qualifications in the coming months; however, prior to this, it intends on undertaking a market sounding exercise to obtain valuable feedback from the private sector and prospective bidders to confirm and optimize the updated approach. READ MORE
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why does NASED include the community district?
A. In 2019, the Hawai‘i State Legislature determined that:
“The existing Aloha Stadium and lands under the jurisdiction of the stadium authority and department of accounting and general services are underutilized. The stadium facility has been in dire need of significant repair and maintenance for many years. The stadium authority has considered repairing, upgrading, and replacing the existing facility to optimize the public’s enjoyment and ensure public safety. Redeveloping, renovating, or improving these public lands in a manner that will provide suitable recreational, residential, educational, and commercial areas, where the public can live, congregate, recreate, attend schools, and shop, as part of a thoughtfully integrated experience, is in the best interests of the State and its people.”
This still holds true today, and developing the Aloha Stadium lands into a live-work-play-thrive district delivers a range of benefits for the state and its people, including the provision of much-needed housing. Developing the district also provides a key revenue stream that pays for the maintenance of the new Aloha Stadium, ensuring the facility remains safe and marketable for years to come while also avoiding the reliance on frequent state appropriations and the challenges of the previous stadium and other state maintained facilities. READ MORE
In the Media
Jimmy Tokioka sworn in as DBEDT Director
Former Kaua‘i State Rep. Jimmy Tokioka was sworn in as director of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) on Friday, May 5. As noted in a recent Star-Advertiser article, he has a wealth of experience, having been a hotel industry executive and restaurant owner who also spent 10 years on the Kaua’i County Council and 16 years in the state House of Representatives. As director of DBEDT, Tokioka will be responsible for collaborating with the NASED team to deliver a new stadium and surrounding live-work-play-thrive community district. READ MORE
Concerts at Aloha Stadium Continue to Attract Large Crowds
Thousands of music lovers have converged upon the Aloha Stadium parking lot in recent months as TMR EVENTS featured a bevy of local artists!
Gary LeVox (lead singer of Rascal Flatts), Kapena, Kala‘e Parish, Kalena Ku, SOJA , Tribal Seeds, Ka‘ikena Scanlan, Likkle Jordee and Natural Vibrations performed to jubilant crowds on consecutive days Feb. 10 and 11.
The popularity of the two-day concert shows the local appetite for live music remains strong. “With the closure of the stadium bowl, we have been given the opportunity to think outside of the box and create new events that we may not been given the opportunity to do so in the past. As we continue to move forward with a multi-purpose stadium concept, these types of events help us prepare for future opportunities and partnerships,” stated Ryan Andrews, Stadium Manager.
TMR Events plan to host a series of concerts at Aloha Stadium this coming Summer and Fall 2023. UPCOMING EVENTS
Now Hiring - Join the Aloha Stadium 'Ohana
With the busy summer months coming up, the Aloha Stadium is looking to hire several part-time parking lot attendants. This is a great opportunity to earn additional income whether you’re a student, recent graduate, retired or just looking for some extra spending money.
To be a part of this winning team, candidates must be available to work weekends, holidays, and evenings. For a complete job description and to apply online visit: EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Honolulu Rail "Skyline" is Almost Here!
Who’s ready to ride? In celebration of the Honolulu rail system the city has dubbed “Skyline” making its way to the Aloha Stadium, we’ll be kicking off the July 1 weekend with giveaways, memorabilia items for sale, and over 400 vendors from the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet & Marketplace. For more information on hours and stops visit: CITY DTS WEBSITE
Swap Meet Vendor Spotlight – The Makana Shop
At the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet & Marketplace, you can find discounts on a wide selection of high-quality products from clothing, accessories, Hawaiian souvenirs, and pre-packaged ethnic foods to fine jewelry and vintage antiques. Beautifully handcrafted products and exclusive art pieces are made and sold by the artists themselves. Rediscover what the Swap Meet has to offer as we spotlight one vendor video each month. You can also follow us on Instagram @alohastadiumhi for more vendor videos.
This month’s featured vendor is The Makana Shop. From island style dresses and jumpsuits to handmade jewelry and bracelets, The Makana Shop is a must visit while at the Swap Meet & Marketplace. As one of our long-time vendors they specialize in designing one-of-a-kind beaded bracelets made onsite while you wait. With a wide variety of crystals, beads and charms, shoppers can create their own bracelets to fit their style. Be sure to visit them at Section 11D on Wednesdays & Saturdays and at Section 12D on Sundays and let them help you craft the perfect piece.
FIND OUT MORE
Calendar of Events – June & July 2023
Entire month of June – July 9
50th State Fair – E.K. Fernandez is back and there’s fun for everyone!
For event details visit: ALOHA STADIUM EVENTS
Friday, July 28 & Saturday, July 29
Birthday Bash 33 – Two nights of great entertainment!
TMR Events is proud to bring you another amazing concert series.
Night one features Ekolu, Malino, B.E.T., Ten Feet, Micah G, Lava and Trishnalei. The following evening you know it’s always a great show with Kapena, Three Plus, Ophi Pickers, Hawaiian Style Band, Peni Dean, Pohaku and Ikena Dupont.
Tickets now available online at TMR Events: BUY TICKETS
Aloha Stadium Over the Years: High School Graduations
Pictured above is Pearl City High School – Class of 1991. This was the first-ever high school graduation at the Aloha Stadium.
Over the years the stadium has been host to thousands of graduates from public high schools across the island: Radford, Mililani, Moanalua, ‘Aiea, James Campbell, and Pearl City.
Pictured below is ‘Aiea High School – Class of 2022, the last high school graduation held at the Aloha Stadium on May 19, 2022.
Congratulations Class of 2023!
Loko Iʻa Pāʻaiau - Community Workday. Open to all every 1st Saturday of the month, 9:00am - 1:30pm.
Congratulations to the Class of 2023 and a special shout out to the graduates of the high schools in our community!
ʻAiea High (May 18)
Christian Academy (May 27)
Calvary Chapel Christian School (June 9)
Moanalua High (May 19)
Pearl City High (May 20)
Radford High (May 20)
This Month in History: Were you there?
May 1979: UH vs. Nevada-Las Vegas
Before being permanently locked into its football configuration in January 2007, the stadium served as the home field for the Hawai’i Islanders and hosted both college and professional baseball games. On May 19, 1979 Derek Tatsuno struck out 12 in an 11-1 UH victory over Nevada-Las Vegas at Aloha Stadium. Over 18,340 fans were in attendance, the largest crowd to see a college baseball game at that time.
For more interesting facts about Derek “Tats” Tatsuno: READ HERE
Industry Update
Fresno State announces plans to modernize stadium
Another Mountain West Conference school revealed plans to upgrade its facilities. Congratulations to Fresno State, which on May 9, announced a new plan to raise more than $250 million to modernize the university’s athletic facilities, including Valley Children’s Stadium.
The university says it is exploring several “innovative” sources of funding, including private support, to bankroll the proposed modernization of the athletic facilities. This is yet another example of peer institutions seeking innovative approaches and partnerships to invest in their facilities and position their programs for the future. READ MORE
UH Spotlight
Aloha and Mahalo to UH Athletics Director David Matlin!
On May 18 the UH Board of Regents approved Craig Angelos as the new athletics director for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa , effective June 5. David Matlin’s last day as UH Athletics Director will be June 2. READ MORE
Congratulations to David on an amazing career and a warm aloha to Angelos as he begins his UH career!
New UH Athletics Director Craig Angelos will provide leadership for 21 sports programs.
READ MORE
In the Community - Honoring Our Ancestors
NASED honors our ancestors by remembering and learning from the past. The above photo is from the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, Hawai’i Historic Preservation Report 95-1, Nā Maka o Hālawa: A History of Hālawa Ahupua‘a, O‘ahu published December 1995 and prepared by Paul Christiaan Klieger, Anthropology Department, Bishop Museum.
This aerial view of the Pearl Harbor coast of Hālawa (1920s) shows:
1. Mouth of Hālawa Stream
2. Makalapa Crater
3. Site of most Hālawa kuleana
4. Loko Kahakupōhaku
5. McGrew Point
6. Mōʻī Wahine Kalaimanuia’s fishponds, near site of battle of Kūki‘iahu. Bishop Museum CP 112,732.
Loko Iʻa Pāʻaiau
This 400-year old royal Hawaiian fishpond, Loko I’a Pāʻaiau, located in the Kalauao ahupua‘a in the ‘Ewa moku on the mokupuni of O‘ahu, is a beautiful reminder of the peace, healing, and lōkahi Hawai‘i once had. It was home to Mōʻī Wahine Kalanimanuʻia, who reigned peacefully over the island of O‘ahu in the 1400s. This 6.34 acre loko kuapā, located in the Paʻaiau ‘ili of the Kalauao ahupuaʻa, is listed on the National Historic Register. The sacred site is currently stewarded and restored with the loving hands of many, as a community-based partnership between the U.S. Navy, the Ali‘i Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club, the ‘Aiea Community Association, the descendants and residents of Pā’aiau, ‘Aiea and Kalauao, and the larger community.
Upcoming Events
Community Workdays. Saturday, June 3 | 9:00am – 1:30pm
Open to all, every 1st Saturday of the month. Work for the day may consist of fishpond wall restoration and/ or planting & weeding.
Kapa Hui ‘O Mānoa. Saturday, June 10 & Sunday, June 11 | 10:30am – 2:30pm.
Visitors are welcome to watch kapa practitioners demonstrating kapa making.
For more information on upcoming events or how to volunteer, contact ealapaaiau@gmail.com or visit their website at: PAAIAU.ORG
Community Reminder - 2023 Hurricane Season
Believe it or not hurricane season is here again. The season officially begins on June 1 and ends on Nov. 30.
Here’s how to prepare before hurricane season starts: READ MORE
You can also learn more by visiting the State of Hawai’i, Department of Health – Office of Public Health Preparedness website, Issues & Advisories – Hurricane Season page: CLICK HERE
Get in Touch
Got feedback on the NASED Community Newsletter? If you have anything to share, please reach out to us via the “Get In Touch” page on our website: NASED WEBSITE
If you would like to receive e-newsletters for the New Aloha Stadium Community Newsletter, please register HERE
