Dobelle clears way for UH football refunds

Advertiser Staff

University of Hawai'i president Evan Dobelle announced today that he is suspending a policy that would have forced fans to give up football season tickets if they wanted a refund for only the Fresno State game.

The game was moved to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, to accommodate an ESPN telecast, angering many fans who can't attend.

Dobelle also said the current policy, "just doesn't meet a common-sense test for me." Dobelle is asking the athletic department to refund tickets for the game for all who ask.

Dobelle also said he is recommending that the Board of Regents consider naming buildings on the Manoa campus after four prominent UH figures.

Dobelle said he will ask the regents at their September meeting on Maui to name Rainbow Stadium after former coach Les Murakami. He hopes to have the baseball stadium named before the start of next season.

The Center for Hawaiian Studies would be named after regent emeritus Gladys Brandt and the College of Arts and Sciences building after Drs. Allan and Marion Saunders.

The current policy says: "Building, other facilities, roads and programs will not be named for living individuals, and ordinarily not within five years of the person's death, except as specifically provided by law."

Murakami, who suffered a stroke Nov. 2, served as baseball coach for 30 years. "It's an honor, no question," Murakami said today. "It's a nice gesture."

Allan Saunders, former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, has been dead for more than five years, while his wife Marion, former director of Continuing Education for Women, is deceased, but has not met the five-year requirement.