The University of Hawai'i's popular Midnight 'Ohana basketball event would be replaced with an earlier, evening format on Oct. 14 to increase attendance and lessen concerns about late-night safety, under a plan favored by UH basketball coaches.

UH men's basketball coach Riley Wallace and women's coach Jim Bolla said they agree on hosting the event at 7 p.m. or later, Friday, Oct. 14, at the Stan Sheriff Center in accordance with a new NCAA rule.

The NCAA now allows basketball programs to start practice at 7 p.m. on the first Friday before Oct. 15. In the past, the first official day of practice was 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 15, which prompted many college basketball programs to host so-called Midnight Madness celebrations.

A longtime tradition for the past 17 seasons, the Midnight 'Ohana event drew attention to the start of basketball season, offered fans a first glimpse of the UH men's and women's basketball teams, and attracted thousands of spectators with a carnival-type atmosphere featuring prizes, food and games. The event started with the UH men's team Halloween night at Klum Gym in 1988, and a few years later, the women's team was invited to participate.

"Most likely, we'll go at an earlier time," said Wallace, who planned to consult in the coming weeks with several key parties, including the UH marketing department before making a final decision. "It's something that we'll have to sit down and discuss."

Wallace said he believes many spectators have difficulty attending the late-night event, and he said an earlier start would increase attendance. In the past, the event has drawn 3,000 to 9,000 fans, Wallace said. The Stan Sheriff Center seats approximately 10,000.

"Some of the elderly people had to give up the late night, and some of the real young ones," Wallace said. "I think (the earlier format) will be better for everybody."

Bolla said the earlier start "makes sense," and would make it easier for families to attend the event and return home at a normal time.

"I'm definitely in favor," said Bolla of the earlier format. "I don't want our fans to come in here at midnight and stay until 2 to 3 o'clock in the morning. That doesn't make a lot of sense safety-wise."

Capt. Donald Dawson, chief of UH campus security, said he had "no problem" with the earlier format. Dawson, who has been working at UH security for 10 years, said he could not recall any major safety incidents at Midnight 'Ohana during that time.

"Nevertheless, at 2 o'clock in the morning, common sense would tell you that's not a good time for people to be wandering around in parking garages," Dawson said. "Philosophically, I would support (the coaches) 100 percent. I have no problem with that at all."

In the past several months, there's been several reported attacks on young women, not on the Manoa campus, but just off of campus. In June, a UH female student reported being accosted by a man in a car near College Hill on her way to campus in the morning. In March, there were two reported rapes near the Manoa campus, one of which involved a Kapi'olani Community College student. Police have made arrests in all but one case, Dawson said.

"A late-night event like (Midnight 'Ohana) might increase the chances of students getting into unsafe situations, so I think (Bolla's) concern is legitimate," said university spokesman Jim Manke.

Wallace said UH will be in line with many other collegiate basketball programs that will be replacing their Midnight Madness events with earlier formats.

"As far as I know, most people will do it that way," Wallace said.

Wallace said he hoped the event would remain free of charge to spectators, and said the event was important to the community.

"I've always said this is how we introduce our team to the fans, and it's a 'thank you' at the same time for supporting us and being there all the time," said Wallace, who added the athletic department can earn revenue off other things such as the carnival games. He also said the team's booster club helps defray some of the costs.

"I think ... the first year is probably an experiment," Wallace said of the new format. "If it works, it's really good. If it doesn't, then you've broken tradition and you've lost something. My guess is it will be good."