15,000-seat amphitheater proposed for Kapolei
By Will Hoover
Advertiser Leeward O'ahu Writer
Think Waikiki Shell times two — in Kapolei.
That's the idea behind a proposed 15,000-seat, four-tier amphitheater on 34 acres of Campbell Estate land near Kapolei Business Park that experts believe could dramatically alter the entertainment scene in Hawai'i.
Jeff Bryant, president and CEO of Global Venture Group LLC, a Northville, Mich., company that wants to manage the operation, said he is 90 percent certain the $20 million Kapolei amphitheater will be completed, possibly by late next year.
"One reason we were attracted to Hawai'i is that we thought that size would fill a niche and complement what's already ... out there," Bryant said.
The new venue would offer an attractive alternative to the 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium — which is too big for most acts — and the smaller locations such as the Waikiki Shell, Blaisdell Center or Stan Sheriff Center, all with fewer than 9,000 seats, he said.
Honolulu promoter Tim Bostock said the Kapolei amphitheater idea presents exciting possibilities for O'ahu.
"There's definitely a need for a 15,000-seater," said Bostock, who believes the new venue would mean that acts on the order of the Simon & Garfunkel fall tour could come to Hawai'i. He said both he and local promoter Tom Moffatt tried to bring the popular folk rock duo to the Island, but were unable to because the locations were too small.
"We can't make it work for the money they need," he said.
Bostock said the question is whether Honolulu audiences would travel to Kapolei to be entertained.
"It's just not central," he said. "I think you'd need Honolulu to go out there."
However, Moffatt said he doesn't doubt that if they build the amphitheater the audiences will come — provided the act is big enough.
"A marginal act might not do it," said Moffatt. "But I don't think there's a problem if there's an attraction — Fleetwood Mac, Linkin Park or Simon & Garfunkel."
If a media and entertainment giant such as Clear Channel Worldwide, which handles numerous top acts, were to get involved, that could open Hawai'i up to all sorts of tours O'ahu fans rarely get a peek at, according to Bryant.
He said Global Venture has had discussions with a number of major entertainment promotion firms.
"We want to get as many people involved as we can in the community, especially players like Clear Channel," he said. "But no matter what primary promoter we might sign with from the Mainland, we want Tom Moffatt, Tim Bostock and all the local promoters to be a big part of this as well."
Bryant said his company has an agreement to lease the land with Campbell Estate. He's waiting for a conditional zoning permit from the city and county to complete the necessary review and approval process. A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 19. Theresia McMurdo, a Campbell spokeswoman, directed all inquiries to Bryant.
If everything works out, Global Venture would operate the amphitheater for a private investment company in Denver, Colo.
The facility would have have 8,000 covered and 7,000 lawn seats and some 3,000 parking spaces. It would employ up to 150 part-time security, concession and parking employees, Bryant said.
Reach Will Hoover at 525-8038 or whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.
