Aloha Stadium project gets OK to go with single developer

(Star Advertiser) — There was an air of celebration at Thursday’s monthly meeting of the Stadium Authority.

It was announced that Gov. Josh Green and the state are moving forward with a modified version of the public-private partnership plan that has been in the works since 2018.

“I am optimistic. We have the green light and a clear direction,” Stadium Authority Chair Brennon Morioka said.

Later, the state public works administrator in charge of the project voiced relief.

“Today we got a lot lifted off of our shoulders. We’ve got an administration that is 100 % behind us, ” said Chris Kinimaka from the Department of Accounting and General Services. “We’ve got a team going forward.”

But that team still needs to sign up a key player.

The state government forces are now officially all aligned, but the private-sector partner, which will now be responsible for both the stadium and the development around it, must be enlisted.

“After careful consideration and months of analysis, we have decided to pursue an integrated public-private-partnership approach for the project,” Green said Thursday.

“This approach will not only provide us with a much-needed new stadium, but also ensure long-term funding and cost overruns are managed by the private sector, reducing the burden on our local taxpayers.”

The adjusted New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District plan has one entity charged with developing, building, operating and maintaining the stadium while receiving rights to mixed-use development in the surrounding area.

The previous plan called for separate private-sector teams—one for the stadium itself and another for the district.

“Having one master developer do both the stadium and the mixed-use development sets us on a cleaner financing path,” said state Sen. Glenn Wakai, who represents areas surrounding the stadium.