Hula Bowl hopes to stay on Maui

By Ferd Lewis and Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writers

Despite attendance and sponsorship concerns, the Hula Bowl likely will remain on Maui for at least another year, according to the game's president and chief operating officer.

Mark Salmans said that he's "90 percent sure" that the annual collegiate all-star football game will be played next year on Maui. The Hula Bowl was moved to Maui in 1998 after 50 years on O'ahu.

"We feel like we're gonna be here," Salmans said. "It is important that we know that the people of Maui want to have it, and that it is viable to be out here. But I've never really threatened to move the thing. We just want people to show that they want it here.

"I guess the line I would take is that we're 90 percent sure that we're gonna be back here again next year."

The Hula Bowl received $25,000 in state support for Saturday's game, but is without a title sponsor, and has struggled to fill War Memorial Stadium, which seats between 16,000 and 17,000.

ESPN, which holds the television rights for the game, is concerned about attendance, Salmans said. ESPN's contract with the Hula Bowl runs through 2007, with an option for 2008, Salmans said.

The 2004 Hula Bowl attracted fewer than 10,000 fans, an increase of about 2,000 from the 2003 game, according to Dick Schaller, who is one of the game's owners.

"When we talk with ESPN, they want to be able to shoot a game where they are not having to shoot it so we don't see empty spots in the stadium," Salmans said.

For Saturday's game, about 11,000 tickets have been distributed, of which probably 6,000 have been sold, Salmans said.

"We've given away a ton of tickets to get people to come to the game," Salmans said. "Now, the question is: If they won't take a free ticket and come to the game, then I don't know that there's enough interest for it to be on the island."

Salmans added: "I'd love to have the thing packed out. We've offered $5 tickets. We've given away tickets. We've done everything we can possibly do to get people in the stands, and I think it is just a barometer to me of whether people want this event in Maui any longer. We really want to keep the game here if at all possible. We really do."

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044 and Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.