Aloha Stadium interim manager Scott Chan has accepted an offer to become the facility's permanent manager, ending a nearly two-year search.

"I choose to take on that challenge," said Chan, 48, who has worked at the stadium for 11 years, and called the position "a great opportunity."

Chan's hiring is expected to provide stability, veteran leadership and a seamless transition at the state's premier multi-purpose outdoor facility, which hosts various high-profile events, including the University of Hawai'i football team, the NFL's Pro Bowl and the swap meet.

Chan's appointment to the $81,463 position is effective immediately. He was offered the job in a unanimous vote by the Aloha Stadium Authority.

"Right now, Scott is the best person for the job," said Authority chairman Kevin Chong Kee, who praised Chan's daily handling of duties in his stint as acting deputy manager and interim stadium manager within the past year and a half. "He has shown us his leadership abilities. That's working out well for everybody."

Chan is credited with improving information sharing between the stadium and the Aloha Stadium Authority, strengthening relationships between the stadium and its clients, and working with the University of Hawai'i athletic department.

"He's ready for the job," UH Athletic Director Herman Frazier said. "He has been wonderful for us to work with. And he's got some new and exciting ideas. We're working on him with some things for parking and some other stuff. And we look forward to working with him the next few years."

"We've worked well with Scott in the past and think he's a great choice," said Keith Amemiya, the executive director of the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association.

Chan was offered the job last month by the Aloha Stadium Authority, but he said then he needed time to decide.

"I wanted to make sure the 't's were crossed and the 'i's were dotted, and we understand exactly what is expected if I took over the position," Chan said. "One of them was to be sure that I had the board's support."

One of Chan's priorities will be hiring a deputy manager, an events manager and a chief of security. Events manager Eugene Tokuhama is scheduled to retire at the end of this month, Chan said.

Aloha Stadium has been without a security chief after the Sept. 1 retirement of Herb Naone, who was charged in an extortion case. Naone has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Chan said he would like to hire a security chief before the Sept. 1 opener against Northern Colorado.

"We've been patiently awaiting the list of qualified candidates," Chan said. "Once we get that list, we're hoping to get it within the next week or two, we'll begin the process of interviewing, and putting someone in that position."

Chan will oversee a staff of up to 50 full-time employees, and 1,300 to 1,500 part-time employees during events.

Chan, a former Kaiser football star in the 1970s, replaces longtime manager Eddie Hayashi, who announced his retirement in 2005. Hayashi served 12 years as stadium manager. Ken Lum and Chan assumed interim stadium manager duties since then.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.