Aloha Stadium, the longtime home to the Hawai'i football team, announced a moratorium on new events at the stadium Thursday, prompting the Rainbow Warriors to begin a search for a new home for the 2021 season.
"We are beyond disappointed of the news at today's announcement from the Aloha Stadium Authority that there will be no further events in the current stadium with fans," Hawai'i athletic director David Matlin said in a statement. "Aloha Stadium has such a storied history and carries so many memories for our football program and generations of Hawai'i families. We must now take responsibility ourselves to find a suitable venue for our Rainbow Warriors, Hawai'i's football team, to play in front of our loyal fans beginning in 2021."
A new 35,000-seat stadium is scheduled to open by the fall of 2023, but it is unclear what solutions would be considered to host the football team for the next two seasons. To maintain FBS status, a football program is required to "average at least 15,000 in actual or paid attendance for all home football contests over a two-year rolling period," according to the NCAA bylaws.
The island of Oahu does not have another stadium with a capacity of 15,000 or greater. A message left for the NCAA inquiring about the possibility of a waiver for Hawai'i to keep its FBS status while playing at a smaller venue was not immediately returned.
In the initial release from the Aloha Stadium Authority, the change was called a "temporary moratorium on new events and reduction in operations." However, in a subsequent statement, the stadium authority said it will continue to entertain events, but "additional operational expenses will be put upon the licensee."
Asked if the Rainbow Warriors could still play at the stadium in 2021, a spokesperson for the stadium said in an email, "Yes, we will entertain any client that can function within the restrictions and constraints." It is unclear when restrictions and constraints would be in place.
Events that are already scheduled for Aloha Stadium will be allowed to take place, which presumably includes the Hula Bowl, a college football all-star game scheduled for Jan. 31.
"It is with a heavy heart that we make this difficult decision," said Ross Yamasaki, chair of the Stadium Authority. "Aloha Stadium has been expending its reserves to maintain operations since COVID-19 restrictions began. Unfortunately, we have reached a stage where we can no longer afford to continue these expenditures. It is our hope that we can find a long-term solution but for now must make these changes to reduce expenses and generate revenue through activities in the parking lot and events that have already been booked."
One potential option for the Rainbow Warriors is War Memorial Stadium on the island of Maui, where the team opened the 2001 season with a win against Montana before 12,863 people. The stadium has 15,631 permanent seats with a capacity of 20,000.
"I am open to entertaining the notion of War Memorial Stadium hosting UH football games. It would be a great opportunity for our local college football fans to cheer the Rainbow Warrior football team here at home on Maui," Maui Mayor Michael Victorino said in a statement. "I am willing to expedite stadium improvements to accommodate better seating, lighting or expanded concession areas, in order to host UH games here."
Aloha Stadium has hosted the Rainbow Warriors since 1975.