In a significant stride towards developing its entertainment and sports infrastructure, the Hawaii State Senate subcommittee has advanced two pivotal resolutions concerning the future of the new Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. This move could potentially pave the way for introducing regulated gaming in the state, a proposal gaining traction among locals.

Progress on the Aloha Stadium project:

The first resolution calls for the Stadium Authority to finalize a construction agreement and further develop the comprehensive Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. Meanwhile, the second resolution aims to establish a state-led ‘Gaming Working Group’ dedicated to examining the prospects of legalizing gambling within Hawaii.

Governor Josh Green highlighted the cautious yet constructive approach taken by the legislature towards this development. Reflecting on a recent survey, Governor Green noted, “Well, it’s not quite ready for prime time. As you see, the legislature is being cautious, and that’s smart. But it was interesting to see. We got a survey or poll of people, and about two out of three in our state wanted to do gaming as long as the monies went to an important set of projects, mostly housing. So, a lot of people want housing. Interestingly, the Hawaiian community, in an overwhelmingly big number, wanted this gambling option as long as it went towards housing for Hawaiians.”

This sentiment underscores a broader consensus among the residents, with nearly 70% showing support for the redevelopment of the Aloha Stadium site, linking their approval to substantial community benefits like housing projects.

Funding and future plans:

According to KHON2, Governor Green remains optimistic about securing the necessary funds for the stadium, citing commitments to demolish the existing structure and plans to attract further investment. “I’m gonna encourage them to go forward no matter what. We have the $400,000,000. We need to demolish the old stadium. I think you build the stadium. We’ve actually made overtures to several different affluent entities to invest in $50,000,000 increments or bigger. We really would like to have $800,000,000 to build a modern stadium as part of this district, and that’s why people are talking about gambling, which I’m neutral on right now, but also these other options.”

With renderings of the project revealed, the envisioned modern stadium is set to be a cornerstone of the proposed entertainment district, expected to generate substantial revenue for the state. The strategic financial planning includes leveraging gambling as a potential funding source, reflecting a pragmatic approach to meet the ambitious financial goals of the project.

The construction contract is slated to be signed by June to secure state funding continuity, with the aim of inaugurating the new stadium in time for the 2028 University of Hawaii football season. The development partners, Aloha Halawa District Partners, believe the target is ambitious yet achievable, setting a promising course for the project’s completion.