State will distribute used turf

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Some portions of AstroTurf from Aloha Stadium will be donated to public schools once the artificial surface is removed for a new grass-like playing surface, according to state officials.

Brandon Dodson of FieldTurf Builders cuts out AstroTurf at Aloha Stadium to prepare for the installation of a new surface. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

Aaron Fujioka, state procurement office administrator, said the AstroTurf still has value and will be placed on the "Excess State Property List" so it can be distributed to "interested schools or other state agencies."

Fujioka said if the state can't distribute all of the AstroTurf, other alternatives would be to dispose of it or advertise it for sale.

Fujioka said interested state agencies can check the State Procurement Office webpage at www2.state.hi.us/spo/ or call the state's inventory management office (831-6756). Distribution will be done on a first-come, first-serve basis, but Fujioka said "there's a lot, so I don't think we'll be running out."

The state spent $2.3 million to install new AstroTurf in 1999. The turf has four years remaining on its warranty, but the warranty becomes void once the turf is removed by someone who is not certified by Southwest Recreational Industries, Inc., the company that owns AstroTurf, according to Aloha Stadium engineer Kenneth Tong.

In 1999, state officials donated the old turf to high schools, which used it for their batting cages and high jump runways, said Aloha Stadium manager Eddie Hayashi.

"Preferably that's what we want to do," Hayashi said. "It's going to benefit all the public schools. Hopefully, we can do that again."

Yesterday, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the stadium. The total project, which includes installation, will cost $1.3 million.

"It's been a project that the NFL and state of Hawai'i has looked forward to for quite some time now," Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona said. "It's come to fruition."

Aiona said the addition of FieldTurf will provide Hawai'i and sports fans "a first-class, state-of-the-art field" that could lure more events.

State officials earlier said the new turf would enable Aloha Stadium to host major Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) sanctioned soccer competitions.

The first athletic event to be played on the new turf will be the high school football Father Bray Classic on Aug. 24, Hayashi said.

Donny Jones, the FieldTurf Western Sales Manager, said their turf has an eight-year warranty. He also said that FieldTurf plays "about the speed of grass" and shouldn't affect the running speed of the University of Hawai'i football players.

"It's not going to slow them down at all," Jones said. "We can actually put it in a little firmer (for speed). They can maintain it to however they like it. The University of Washington likes it a little firmer. The Seattle Seahawks like it a little softer than the University of Washington."

George Toma, a renowned grass consultant who maintains the best fields in professional sports, said FieldTurf could actually increase the Warriors' running speed.

"Coach (June Jones') team could be a little faster because now they won't have to wear all that extra padding to prevent abrasions," said Toma, who has agreed to help with the installation project. "You're not going to get that on FieldTurf."

Toma said FieldTurf will provide special machines for maintenance.

The turf replacement has been a key issue in keeping the Pro Bowl in Hawai'i.

The replacement turf also was part of a contract in 2000 between the Hawai'i Tourism Authority and the Pro Bowl.

The NFL prefers natural grass or FieldTurf because its players have complained about injuries suffered on AstroTurf. UH's Jones has also advocated for a new playing surface.