Posted on: Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Hula Bowl, beach volleyball to get state monies
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Hula Bowl Maui and a professional beach volleyball event have been added to sporting events that will receive state monies for 2004-05, according to the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.
The state agency yesterday said $880,000 will be shared between 13 Hawai'i sporting events, starting with the multisport Xterra World Championship on Oct. 24. Last year, $600,000 was shared between 10 events under the state's Sporting Events Program.
The NFL's Pro Bowl and six professional golf tournaments are not included on the list and will be awarded separate state contracts.
The state's Sporting Events Program supports events that provide national and international television coverage, attract visitors to Hawai'i and enhance Hawai'i's appeal as a destination for recreation and activities, said HTA president Rex Johnson in a press release.
The events provide economic benefits for the state and its residents, and assist in overall economic diversification for Hawai'i, the release said.
The amount of funding each event receives depends on several factors including media exposure and attendance, said HTA marketing director Frank Haas.
"The larger events that get bigger media exposure will get more funding," Haas said.
Last year, the Ironman Triathlon World Championship received the most state funding at $200,000, according to HTA statistics. Haas said he didn't have amounts for this year's contracts.
Last month, Hawai'i hosted the Best of the Beach volleyball tournament at Waikiki. It was Hawai'i's first Association of Volleyball Professionals event since 1992. The event did not receive state funding.
As for football, Hula Bowl owner and president Dick Schaller said the Jan. 22 game at War Memorial Stadium will receive $25,000.
"We're pleased and appreciate the support," said Schaller, who secured HTA sponsorship for the first time in his three-year tenure.
The Hula Bowl is shown on national television in prime time and broadcast in more than 150 countries by ESPN and Westwood One Entertainment, Schaller said.
This year, the game attracted fewer than 10,000 fans, an increase of about 2,000 from the 2003 game, he said. War Memorial Stadium seats between 16,000 and 17,000.
As for golf, the state will provide funding for the Mercedes Championships, Sony Open, MasterCard Championship, Wendy's Champions Skins Game, PGA Grand Slam of Golf and the Turtle Bay Championship.
Those PGA events are scheduled to receive $2.187 million in the new contract, compared with $2.133 million in last year's contract, Haas said.
Other 2005 sporting events that will receive state monies are the Maui Marathon, Maui Jim Hawaii Marlin Tournament, PWA Hawaii Pro windsurfing event, Xcel Pro Surf Contest, YMCA Kauai Challenge (paddling), JAL World Triathlon Championships, EA Sports Maui Invitational (basketball) and Waikiki Offshores Series.
The 2004 and 2005 Sheraton Hawai'i Bowls also have been approved for state funding.
PRO BOWL
State negotiators are still working on a multiyear deal that would keep the Pro Bowl in Ho-nolulu through 2009.
A tentative five-year deal was reached in February to keep the game in Honolulu, which has hosted the all-star football game for the past 25 years. In May, the 32 NFL owners unanimously voted in favor of keeping the Pro Bowl in Honolulu by granting the league permission to finalize a contract.
Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.
