Islanders fold after 3 seasons
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Hawaiian Islanders, after three seasons in arenafootball2, have been laid to rest in a graveyard populated by the state's numerous professional sports franchises that preceded them.
The Islanders had lost $5.4 million in three seasons — $2.4 million following the 2002 season, $1.7 million in 2003 and $1.3 million last season.
Islanders owner Charles B. Wang in mid-August said the franchise needed to raise $525,000 in additional sponsorships and alternative money by Sept. 30 — the deadline set by the af2 board of directors to submit a letter of participation for the 2005 season. The league later pushed the deadline back to this Friday.
The Islanders raised an additional $315,000 after meeting with more than 100 existing and potential sponsors during the past eight weeks, according to Islanders executive director and general manager Chris Dey.
"We certainly would have wanted to have more time," Dey said. "It's hard to project how much more sponsorships we would have had (if given more time)."
In August, the state's only professional sports franchise said it hoped to reduce operating losses for next season to between $250,000 and $350,000.
The team was looking at a projected loss of between $475,000 to $525,000 for next season, according to a press release.
"If we could have gotten the losses down to between $250,000 and $300,000, then we would have seen the light at the end of the tunnel," Dey said.
The Islanders are among at least 10 professional sports franchises that have come and gone in Hawai'i since the early 1960s (see list on D1).
The Islanders, who played home games at Blaisdell Arena, provided players like Darnell Arceneaux a chance to play football in front of his family and friends for the first time since high school.
"The game I was supposed to play in front of the (hometown) fans I broke my finger," recalled Arceneaux, a Saint Louis School alum who didn't get a chance to quarterback the University of Utah against the University of Hawai'i in 1999 because of the injury.
"It was an honor to play here (for the Islanders). ... In the three years I met so many people that made an impact in my life."
The Islanders were awarded an af2 franchise in September of 2001 with Wang's daughter, Kimberly, in charge of operating the team.
Charles B. Wang currently owns the National Hockey League's New York Islanders and Arena Football League's New York Dragons.
The Islanders finished with an overall record of 24-26, including the National Conference West Division championship in 2003.
"After 3ý years, we put everything we had into putting a competitive and professional team and entertaining product on the field," Dey said.
Guy Benjamin coached the first four games of the Islanders' inaugural season, and Chad Carlson finished out the 16-game season. Legendary Saint Louis School coach Cal Lee took over in 2003. The af2 regular season runs from late March through late July.
Defensive coordinator Doug Semones and defensive line/linebackers coach Darren Hernandez were with the team from the outset.
"I was pretty disappointed and devastated," said Hernandez, when he found out the team would cease operations. "That was a lot of fun. Being part of something like that was great. We had a fun time and a great staff."
Players were paid $200 per game and they received an additional $50 per victory.
Most players hoped to use the Islanders as a means to improve their skills and move on to a higher level like the AFL. Others played because of their love for the game.
"I cared about them so much," Dey said. "I know the commitment they made to be the best team they could be. They all represented the team and the state of Hawai'i well."
Former Islanders who advanced to higher levels include Isaac White (NFL's Kansas City Chiefs), Josh "Zeus" White (AFL's New York Dragons), Olen Rosehill (AFL's Arizona Wranglers) and Kohei Satomi (NFL Europe's Amsterdam Admirals).
Dey said he was grateful for the community support, corporate sponsorship and fan support, which all grew each year.
Season ticket sales went from 16 in 2002, to 1,250 in 2003, to 1,500 last season.
But, Hernandez said, "(the attendance) was disappointing. Too bad we couldn't get together and make it work."
Corporate sponsorship increased 50 percent from 2003 to 2004.
"Despite our best efforts and truly generous display of aloha from our sponsors, season ticket holders and the community at large, we ultimately ran out of time falling short of our goal by $225,000 and came to a prudent business decision to cease operations," Dey said.
"My only regret is that we were unable to commit to a fourth season. As soon as the decision was reached, we felt that it was in the best interest of the fans, sponsors, players and all of our stakeholders to announce it as soon as possible."
Despite their failed efforts, Dey said others should give professional sports in Hawai'i a shot.
"I think anybody that has a dream to make it happen should try," Dey said. "Everyone can learn a lot from the experience we went through."
Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8041.
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