Posted on: Friday, July 1, 2005

Guerrero pushes for stadium independence

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

Outgoing Aloha Stadium Authority chairman Tony Guerrero yesterday challenged the authority to push the state for the independence to "make this a real first-class facility."

"This is our only major (sports) venue and, quite frankly, I think we can be doing a lot more," Guerrero said at the final meeting of his four-year tenure.

"I would push for independence for the stadium," Guerrero said. "The reason I say that is this is one of the few venues that can stand by itself."

Gov. Linda Lingle said through a spokesman yesterday that she "has no position" on giving the stadium autonomy.

Guerrero and fellow member Carole Kai Onouye said there would be more incentive for the stadium to bring in events and produce money if the facility kept what it made.

As it stands now, Guerrero said, income goes back to the state and when the stadium wants money for a project, "we have to go stand in line with everybody else. Somehow the legislature needs to change this and make (the stadium) independent of the others."

Guerrero cited the expected five month to yearlong process for changing the University of Hawai'i's rental fees and swap meet admission charges by amendment as areas where an autonomous stadium could streamline its operation.

The authority has sent to the governor a proposed amendment to give it discretion to raise or lower the current rental rate of 7.5 percent or $10,000, whichever is greater. In addition, the authority is seeking an amendment to raise the swap meet admission fee from 50 cents to $1.

"Six months out of the year we have no revenue-enhancing events," Guerrero said. "We should be changing that."

The four-year terms of Guerrero, Onouye and Robin Campaniano expired yesterday. They will be replaced by Kay Ahina, Marcia Klompus and Nelson Oyadomari and a new chair will voted upon next month.

In other business, the authority approved awarding July 29 to K-1 promoter FEG/Prodigy Productions.

Former sumo grand champion Akebono will meet 7-foot-2, 353-pound Hong Man Choi in a main event of that card.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.