Alcohol prohibited at War Memorial
Advertiser Staff
Tomorrow's college football game between Hawai'i and Montana at War Memorial Stadium has raised more questions than any other season opener in recent memory. Here are some of the answers:
• Alcohol: As part of a long-standing county policy, alcohol will not be sold or permitted inside War Memorial Stadium nor in the surrounding parking lots and parks.
• Tailgating: While barbecuing is not permitted in the main stadium parking lot because of fire and safety concerns, county officials said hibachis and gas grills are permitted at Keopuolani Park, in the areas surrounding the Little League baseball fields and the soccer field at the War Memorial Gym complex.
• Lighting: While a caller to UH coach June Jones' radio show was concerned that War Memorial Stadium does not have ample lighting for a night game, school and stadium officials determined the stadium lights were strong enough.
Officials for KFVE, which will televise the game across the Islands, gave their blessing Wednesday night. The stadium's lights also were approved by ESPN, which televises the Hula Bowl.
• Field condition: Although the field was in poor shape two weeks ago, it has now been restored to acceptable condition.
George Toma, who has maintained the fields for several Super Bowls, was brought in to repair the field. The condition of the field has improved so much that Toma was able to mow the grass in different directions every five yards — a cut that will enhance the field's look to television audiences.
It also has helped that nobody except Toma and his crew have been allowed on the field in the past two weeks.
• Training: The Montana football team, which arrived yesterday on a charter flight, was scheduled to practice at Keopuolani Park yesterday afternoon.
The Grizzlies will practice at the Lahaina Civic complex today.
The Grizzlies are staying in Ka'anapali, a 40-minute drive from War Memorial Stadium. The Grizzlies will leave their hotel at 2:45 p.m. tomorrow for the 6 p.m. kickoff.
The Warriors, who are staying at the Ilikai Hotel tonight, will leave Waikiki at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow, catch a charter at 3:15 and arrive at the stadium at approximately 4.
