Kickoffs for University of Hawai‘i’s four Western Athletic Conference home football games at Aloha Stadium this season has been moved up one hour to 5:05 p.m., UH Athletics Director Jim Donovan announced today.

The time change allows UH’s four opponents – Fresno State, Boise State, Utah State and New Mexico State – to depart Honolulu later that evening, thus saving their respective Athletic Department’s travel budget one night of lodging.

“Initially, Fresno State expressed interest in moving the start time so they could catch the red-eye flight back to the West Coast,” Donovan said. “After consulting with our facilities staff and Scott Chan at Aloha Stadium, we agreed to accommodate them and offer that same time slot to our other three WAC home opponents.

“Our intention is to revert back to the 6:05 p.m. kickoff when everyone’s budget gets better in the next year or two. However, if we receive positive feedback from this switch, we may consider keeping the 5:05 p.m. kickoff in the future.”

UH’s season-opener against Central Arkansas, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 4, has a 7:05 p.m. kickoff to alleviate rush hour traffic around the stadium.

The Navy game on Nov. 28, was moved to 5:35 p.m. kickoff to accommodate national television (ESPNU). UH’s season finale against Wisconsin on Dec. 5, televised on either ESPN or ESPN2, is still to be determined.