Maui Council puts off decision on Hula Bowl
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau
WAILUKU, Maui — The Hula Bowl Maui was tackled for a loss yesterday when a Maui County Council committee refused to vote on a contract authorizing use of War Memorial Stadium.
It leaves officials with the nationally televised college all-star football game without permission to use the Wailuku facility — although nobody expects the council to ultimately reject the Feb. 2 bowl game.
Still, Lenny Klompus, chief executive officer of Hula Bowl Maui LLC, said the committee's action could set back efforts to obtain a title sponsor for the game.
"It creates a perception that the support isn't there,'' he said.
The council's Budget and Finance Committee deferred until Jan. 8 consideration of a contract authorizing use of the stadium through 2008. Chairman Riki Hokama explained that more information is needed on expenses and revenues and other details related to the game.
Several council members also said they couldn't believe the contract was presented to them at such a late date — less than two months before kickoff.
The upcoming game was originally covered under the contract for the first five years of the Hula Bowl on Maui. But in June the game was moved from Jan. 19 to Feb. 2 when the Hula Bowl struck a deal with the NFL to play its game on the same weekend as the Pro Bowl. (Since then the Pro Bowl was moved to Feb. 9.)
The original stadium contract, however, expired Feb. 1.
Mayor James "Kimo'' Apana said he could have asked the council to extend the contract by one day, but instead he wanted to secure a long-term arrangement. Unfortunately, he said, the deal lost some priority in the aftermath of Sept. 11 and the dengue fever outbreak, which hit Maui hard.
Nevertheless, Apana said he was disappointed the committee didn't approve the proposed contract yesterday.
"It sends the wrong message to those who wish to put on sports here,'' he said.
But Hokama said the council has a responsibility to ensure the contract is in the best interest of the county. He said there are many questions that must yet be answered.
