 | |
 The stadium in 2024, in a state of abandonment | |
  Aloha Stadium Location in Hawaii Show map of Hawaii | |
| Address | 99–500 Salt Lake Boulevard Aiea, HI 96701 |
|---|---|
| Location | Hālawa, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 21°22′23″N157°55′48″W / 21.373°N 157.93°W /21.373; -157.93 |
| Public transit |  SkylineatHālawa |
| Owner | State of Hawaii |
| Operator | Hawaii Stadium Authority |
| Capacity | 50,000[1] |
| Field size | Baseball Left Field: 325 ft (99 m) Center Field: 420 ft (128 m) Right Field: 325 ft (99 m) |
| Surface | S5 (2011–2020) FieldTurf (2003–2011)[2] AstroTurf (1975–2002) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | September 12, 1975[6][7] |
| Closed | December 17, 2020[8] |
| Demolished | beginning August 2025 (tentatively scheduled) |
| Construction cost | $37 million[3] ($216 million in 2024[4]) |
| Architect | Luckman Partnership, Inc.[5] |
| Tenants | |
| |
| Website | |
| alohastadium.hawaii.gov | |
Aloha Stadium was amulti-purpose stadium inHālawa, Hawaii, a census-designated place that is a western suburb ofHonolulu.[9] It is the largest stadium in the state ofHawaii. As of December 2020[update], the stadium ceased fan-attended operations indefinitely, and placed a moratorium on the scheduling of new events.[10] It is located next to theHālawa station of theSkyline rail system. It is set to be replaced by a 22,500 seat multi-purpose stadium for the University of Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors football program, with demolition of the old stadium to begin in late August 2025. It will replace, and be constructed on the site of, the current Aloha Stadium.
Aloha Stadium served as home to theUniversity of HawaiʻiRainbow Warriorsfootball team (Mountain West Conference,NCAADivision I FBS) for the 1975 through 2020 seasons. It also hostedcollege football'sHawaiʻi Bowl (2002–2019) andHula Bowl (1976–1997, 2006–2008, 2020–2021), and formerly was home to theNational Football League'sPro Bowl from 1980 through 2016 (except in 2010 and 2015). It also hosted numerous high school football games, and served as a venue for large concerts and events, including high school graduation ceremonies. The stadium was home field for theAAAHawaii Islanders of thePacific Coast League (PCL) from 1975 to 1987, before theteam moved toColorado Springs. Frequentswap meets in the stadium's parking lot often draw large crowds.[11]
Before 1975, Honolulu's main outdoor stadium had beenHonolulu Stadium, a wooden stadium on King Street. However, it had reached the end of its useful life by the 1960s, and was well below the standards forTriple-A baseball. The need for a new stadium was hastened by the move of theHawaii Rainbows football program toNCAA Division I. Located west of downtown Honolulu and 2 miles (3.2 km) north ofHonolulu International Airport, Aloha Stadium was constructed in 1975 at a cost of $37 million. Constructed of steel, the stadium was nicknamed the "Metal Mecca".[12] The baseball field was aligned north-northwest (home plate to centerfield), as was the football field.
The first sporting event at Aloha Stadium was acollege football game between Hawaii andTexas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville) on September 13, 1975.[6] Played on Saturday night, the crowd was 32,247,[13] and the visitors prevailed,43–9.[6]
The final sporting event held in Aloha Stadium was the2021 Hula Bowl. The last points scored at Aloha Stadium were a “pick 6” touchdown scored byCarlo Kemp of theUniversity of Michigan.[14]
The stadium was somewhat problematic for its initial primary tenant, theminor league baseballHawaii Islanders. Located in south-central Oahu, it was far from the team's fan base inMōʻiliʻili, and many were unwilling to make the drive. Additionally, while localpublic transportation (TheBus) stopped at the main gate of Honolulu Stadium, the stop for Aloha Stadium was located some distance from the gate. As a result, attendance plummeted and never really recovered—a major factor in the franchise's ultimate move to the mainland.[15]
Additionally, stadium management initially refused to allow the use ofmetal spikes on theAstroTurf. During a game in early May 1976, the starting pitcher for theTacoma Twins,Bill Butler, wore metal spikes to comply with a directive from Tacoma's parent club.[16] In response, stadium management turned off the center field lights, and after 35 minutes, umpires forfeited the game to the Twins.[16] The Islanders protested, claiming they had no control over the lights.[16] However, thePacific Coast League (PCL) sided with the Twins, citing a league rule that the home team is responsible for providing acceptable playing facilities.[15][17] After the teams ended the season in a tie for first in the PCL's Western Division, Hawaii won a one-game playoff in Tacoma.[18]As originally built, Aloha Stadium had various configurations for different sport venues and other purposes. Four movable 7,000-seat sections, each 3.5 million pounds (1,600,000 kg)[1] could move usingair casters into a diamond configuration for baseball (also used for soccer), an oval for football, or a triangle for concerts. In January 2007, the stadium was permanently locked into its football configuration due to cost and maintenance issues.[19] An engineer from Rolair Systems, theNASA spin-off company that engineered the system,[20] claims that the problem was caused by a concrete contractor that ignored specifications for the concrete pads under the stadium.[21]
There were numerous discussions with Hawaii lawmakers who were concerned with the physical condition of the stadium. There were also several issues regarding rusting of the facility, several hundred seats that need to be replaced, and restroom facilities that need to be expanded to accommodate more patrons.[3] Much of the rust was due to building the stadium withweathering steel. U.S. Steel Corporation suggested the steel would develop a protective patina that would eliminate the need for painting.[22] However, given Honolulu's ocean-salt-laden climate, the steel never stopped rusting.[23][24]
A 2005 study by Honolulu engineering firmWiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. determined that the stadium required $99 million to be completely restored and an additional $115 million for ongoing maintenance and refurbishment over the next 20 years to extend its useful life.[25] In early 2007, the state legislature proposed to spend $300 million to build a new facility as opposed to spending approximately $216 million to extend the life of Aloha Stadium for another20–30 years.
One council member said that if immediate repairs were not made within the next seven years, then the stadium would probably have to be demolished due to safety concerns. In May 2007, the state allotted $12.4 million to be used towards removing corrosion and rust from the structure.[26]
In 2003, the stadium surface was changed fromAstroTurf (which had been in place since the stadium opened) toFieldTurf.[2] In July 2011, the field was replaced with anAct Global UBU Sports Speed S5-M synthetic turf system.
In 2008, the state of Hawaii approved the bill of $185 million to refurbish the aging Aloha Stadium.[27] In 2010, Aloha Stadium completely retrofitted its scoreboard and video screen to be more up to date with its high definition capability. The Aloha Stadium Authority planned to add more luxury suites, replacing all seats, rusting treatments, parking lots, more restrooms, pedestrian bridge supports, an enclosed lounge, and more. There was also a proposal that would have enclosed the four openings in the corners of the stadium to add more seats.
In 2011, the playing field was refurbished in part due to a naming rights sponsorship fromHawaiian Airlines. As a result of the sponsorship deal, the field was referred to as Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium.[28] The airline did not renew sponsorship after the deal expired in 2016. As a result, the field went unnamed until late August, whenHawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union signed a three-year $275,000 agreement. As of 2016, the field was known as Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union Field at Aloha Stadium.[29]
In early 2017, there was a study in theHonolulu Star-Advertiser about replacing Aloha Stadium due to safety concerns and a liability risk. The plan was then to build a smaller 30,000 seat stadium on the existing property and also build commercial development around the stadium. In theory, this would save the state millions of dollars instead of renovating and keep the existing stadium as it was.[30][31]
In July 2019,Governor of HawaiiDavid Ige signed Act 268 into law, appropriating $350 million for an Aloha Stadium redevelopment project. The funds were to go toward the construction of a new stadium and land development, including a mixed-use sports and entertainment complex.[32]
A December 17, 2020, announcement by the Aloha Stadium Authority stated that the stadium would be ceasing fan-attended operations indefinitely. The closure was related to financial issues caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic. The stadium, built in 1975, was also plagued by maintenance issues in recent years. A 2019 story from theHonolulu Star-Advertiser noted that the stadium needed $30 million in repairs.KHON-TV reported that the stadium would be condemned and was deemed unsafe to hold any crowds at all.[8][33] The scheduling of new events was also halted.[34] In January 2021, the University of Hawaii announced that the Rainbow Warriors football team would play their home games on campus "for at least the next three years".[35]
The New Aloha Stadium is a proposed 25,000–35,000 seat multi-purpose stadium to be built inHalawa, Hawaii, for theHawaii Rainbow Warriors football program, with demolition of the old stadium by Aloha Halawa Development Partners (AHDP) to begin in early 2026.[36][37] Known as the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District (NASED), the area around the stadium will be developed as a public-private partnership over a 20 year period and also include entertainment venues, retail stores, restaurants, housing, hotels, recreational sites, cultural amenities, and green space.[37][38][39][40] It will replace, and be constructed on the site of, the current Aloha Stadium.[38][39][40] As of August 2025, the expected completion date for the new 22,500 capacity stadium is March 2029 according to the dean of the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Engineering Brennon Morioka, who was the former stadium authority chair and Hawai'i Governor Josh Green's special advisor on the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District project.[37]
Aloha Stadium served as the home field of theHawaii Rainbow Warriorscollege football program, representing theUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, from 1975 through 2020.
TheHula Bowl, a college football all-star game, was first played at the stadium in January 1976 and returned to the stadium annually through 1997. It was again held at Aloha Stadium in 2006–2008 and 2020–2021. The2021 Hula Bowl was the last football game held at the facility before the halting of new events.[41]
Three team-competitive college footballbowl games were held annually at the stadium: theAloha Bowl (1982–2000),Oahu Bowl (1998–2000), andHawaii Bowl (2002–2019). The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors appeared in the Hawaii Bowl nine times and the other two bowl games once each.
Starting in September 1975, the stadium was home to theWorld Football League'sHawaiians[42][43] who played their last four home games there.[44] TheSan Francisco 49ers and theSan Diego Chargers played anNFL preseason game at Aloha Stadium on August 21, 1976. In August 2019, the NFL returned to the stadium with a preseason game between theLos Angeles Rams andDallas Cowboys.[45]
TheNational Football League's all-star game, thePro Bowl, was held annually at the stadium from 1980 through 2016, except in 2010 and 2015.
The stadium served as the home field for theHawaii Islanders, aTriple-A team competing in thePacific Coast League, from 1976 to 1987.
In1997, a three-game regular season series betweenSt. Louis Cardinals andSan Diego Padres ofMajor League Baseball (MLB) was held at the stadium.[46] Called thePadres Paradise Series, the series was played as adoubleheader on April 19 and a nationally broadcast (ESPN) game on April 20. The Cardinals swept the doubleheader, but the Padres won the final game, 8–2, to avoid the complete sweep.[47] In 1979, the Padres had played a three-game preseason series against theSeibu Lions of Japan'sPacific League at the stadium.[48]
On April 7, 1976, the Aloha Soccer Festival triple-header was held at the stadium. In the feature match,Pelé scored four goals as hisNew York Cosmos defeatedJapan, 5-0, in front of a crowd of 21,705. (In the other matches, theNASL'sSan Diego Jaws routed the Hawaii All-Stars, 6-0, while thePhilippines edgedTaiwan, 1-0.)[49]
Encouraged by the tournament's success, theSan Antonio Thunder becameTeam Hawaii in 1977, bringing the NASL to the Aloha State. Pelé and the Cosmos returned on April 13, 1977, as 12,877 watched New York defeat Hawaii, 2-1. (None of Team Hawaii's other twelve home games drew even half of that; they managed only 4,543 per game for the season, and moved toTulsa in 1978.)
Aloha Stadium hosted theinauguralPan-Pacific Championship (February 20–23, 2008), a knockout soccer tournament, involving four teams from Japan'sJ-League, North America'sMajor League Soccer (MLS) and Australia/New Zealand'sA-League.[50] The2012 Hawaiian Islands Invitational was also held at the venue.
TheUnited States women's national soccer team was scheduled to play a game againstTrinidad and Tobago as part of their World Cup Winning Victory Tour at the stadium on December 6, 2015; however, the game was canceled the day before gameday due to concerns over the turf being unsafe to play on.[51]
| Date | Score | Competition | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 20, 2008 | Gamba Osaka 1–0 Los Angeles Galaxy | 2008 Pan-Pacific Championship | 15,128 |
Sydney FC 0–3Houston Dynamo | |||
| February 23, 2008 | Sydney FC 1–2Los Angeles Galaxy | 2008 Pan-Pacific Championship Third-place Match | 23,087 |
| Gamba Osaka 6–1Houston Dynamo | 2008 Pan-Pacific Championship Final |
On June 2, 2013, the stadium played host to arugby league test match whereSamoa defeated theUSA 34–10.[52]
In June, theBrisbane Broncos from the Australasian-basedNational Rugby League (NRL) competition organized for a rugby league match to be played at Aloha Stadium against NRL rivalsPenrith Panthers later in 2015.[53] However, in September the NRL blocked the idea and the game didn't go ahead.[54]
| Date | Visiting | Score | Home | Competition | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2, 2013 | United States | 10–34 |  Samoa | International Friendly | — |
| July 19, 2014 | United States | 18–12 | Samoa | International Friendly | — |
Aloha Stadium also hosted theAloha World Sevens.[citation needed]
In 2020 it was proposed that Kanaloa Hawaii, a proposedMajor League Rugby (MLR) team, be based at Aloha Stadium after "a few years" in a smaller venue;[55][56] however, MLR and Kanaloa Hawaii did not reach an agreement for the team to join the league.[57]
Aloha Stadium is also the venue for five public high school graduation ceremonies:Radford High School,Mililani High School,Aiea High School,James Campbell High School, andPearl City High School.
| Date | Artist | Opening act(s) | Tour / Concert name | Attendance | Revenue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 25, 1984 | The Police | — | Synchronicity Tour | — | — | |
| November 6, 1995 | Eagles | — | Hell Freezes Over Tour | — | — | |
| January 3, 1997 | Michael Jackson | — | HIStory World Tour | 70,000 | — | These were his only US shows that decade. Also, the first person to sell out the stadium.[58] |
| January 4, 1997 | ||||||
| May 3, 1997 | Gloria Estefan | — | Evolution World Tour | — | — | |
| May 29, 1997 | Whitney Houston | Bobby Brown | Pacific Rim Tour | 29,118 / 29,118 | $1,634,370 | Bobby Brown began the show singing his hit tunes. A disguised Whitney sang background vocals for Bobby. Audience members stated that "she came out and the crowd went wild. She sang very well even though she had a cold. She closed the show with 'Step By Step'."[59] |
| January 23, 1998 | The Rolling Stones | Jonny Lang | Bridges To Babylon Tour | 54,006 / 60,000 | $3,317,190 | |
| January 24, 1998 | ||||||
| February 21, 1998 | Mariah Carey | — | Butterfly World Tour | 30,415 / 30,415 | $1,744,210 | [60] |
| January 30, 1999 | Janet Jackson | 98 Degrees | The Velvet Rope Tour | 38,224/ 38,224 | $2,664,000 | [61][62] |
| February 12, 1999 | Celine Dion | — | Let's Talk About Love World Tour | 22,381 / 22,381 | $1,326,805 | [63] |
| June 1, 2000 | Tube | — | Tube Live Around Special June.1.2000 in Aloha Stadium | — | — | The band marked their 15th anniversary with their first-ever US show - a day the state commemorated as "TUBE Day". |
| February 16, 2002 | Janet Jackson | Ginuwine | All for You Tour | 32,211 / 33,511 | $1,472,935 | This concert was aired on HBO the following night and later released on DVD and VHS asJanet: Live in Hawaii.[64][65]Missy Elliott also made a surprise appearance. |
| December 9, 2006 | U2 | Pearl Jam Rocco and the Devils | Vertigo Tour | 45,815 / 45,815 | $4,486,532 | The band's first concert in Hawaii since 1985.Billie Joe Armstrong ofGreen Day was the special guest.[66] |
| November 8, 2018 | Bruno Mars | The Green Common Kings | 24K Magic World Tour | 113,751 / 113,751 | $12,394,580 | |
| November 10, 2018 | ||||||
| November 11, 2018 | ||||||
| December 7, 2018 | The Eagles | Jack Johnson | All the Light Above it Too World Tour | — | — | |
| December 8, 2018 | Guns N' Roses | — | Not in This Lifetime... Tour | 22,485 / 23,000 | — | |
| February 15, 2019 | Eminem | — | — | 31,621 / 31,621 | $3,089,448 |
Aloha Stadium appeared in the climax of the 2006 animated television filmLeroy & Stitch, the finale film toLilo & Stitch: The Series and the main continuity of theLilo & Stitch franchise. In the film's final act,Dr. Hämsterviel and hisLeroy army dumpJumba Jookiba's first 624 genetic experiments into the stadium to be destroyed, only forLilo,Stitch, Jumba,Pleakley,Gantu, andReuben to arrive and stop Hämsterviel. After a fight between the experiments and the Leroys, the main heroes throw an impromptu concert (initially set up for a fictional event called "Alohapalooza"), performing "Aloha ʻOe" to trigger a failsafe to shut down the Leroys. Although the stadium is not identified by name, it is confirmed to be Aloha Stadium through a special thanks credit in the film's closing credits.[67]
Inseason three, episode three of theCBS television seriesNCIS: Hawaiʻi (first aired February 26, 2024), titled "License to Thrill", Aloha Stadium was the setting for a fictional extreme motorsports exhibition, World of Hyperdrome.
| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by first stadium | Host of the Hawaiʻi Bowl 2002–2019 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Host of theNFL Pro Bowl 1980–2009 2011–2014 2016 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by first stadium | Host of the Pan-Pacific Championship 2008 | Succeeded by |
Located in:Honolulu, Hawaii | |||||
| Academics |  | ||||
| Facilities | |||||
| Organizations | |||||
| Media | |||||
| Athletics |
| ||||
| People | |||||
| Related | |||||
| |||||
