Readers had questions after Bruno Mars wrapped up his “24K Magic” tour with three concerts at Aloha Stadium. Ryan Andrews, the stadium’s deputy manager, answers the first three:
Question: We attended the Bruno Mars concert on Sunday. Several times the music and Bruno Mars’ prompting encouraged the packed crowd in the stands to stomp and jump in unison. We were in Orange Section N in the fourth row. Every time people jumped, we bounced as much as 3 inches. I actually thought if the stands gave way, at least we were closer to the ground than those higher up. Has anyone addressed the safety of the stadium structure for future concerts and events after so much physical abuse?
Answer: Yes. “The management of Aloha Stadium maintains guest safety as a high priority and follows the guidance of a licensed forensic structural engineering firm that performs structural safety inspections and evaluations for the stadium on a biennial basis.
“A past evaluation included crowd-induced dynamic loading on the structure, such as that described in the question. Engineers measured and evaluated the movement of the stadium’s structure under occupant loading during large football events.
“Measurements confirmed that although there is movement in most areas of the stadium, the Orange sections near the tip of the sideline stands are the seating areas with greatest crowd-induced movements. The measured deflections were accompanied by computer modeling of the stadium structure to evaluate the engineering significance of the measured movements induced by the crowd activity.
“The structural studies concluded that while some occupants may readily perceive the movements caused by the crowds, the structural safety associated with the movements is not a concern. It should be noted that a structural engineer from this firm attended the Bruno Mars event and observed the movement without concern.”
Q: Wondering how the Bruno Mars concerts could have amplified music after 10 p.m. The concert ended around 11 p.m. on Thursday night. I remember the Jackson Browne show at the Waikiki Shell that had the plug pulled at 10 p.m.
A: “The stadium follows the noise ordinance of the City and County of Honolulu. There is nothing that restricts a performance from going beyond 10 p.m., however, the sound must not surpass a set decibel level at the property line. All artists who perform at Aloha Stadium are aware of the noise restrictions after 10 p.m.”
(We’ll add that performers at the Waikiki Shell, including Jackson Browne last April, are subject to stricter rules specific to that venue. Concerts at the Shell can’t continue past 10 p.m., per Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Sec. 41-34.3(c), which doesn’t apply to Aloha Stadium.)
Q: The pyrotechnics at the Bruno Mars concert were fantastic. Did a Hawaii company do that, or did they bring them with them? Did they have a fireworks permit?
A: “The pyrotechnics were handled by a local company, and a fireworks permit was obtained.”
Q: At the concert Bruno Mars introduced the band members and said they were from Pearl City, Ewa Beach, etc. Is that true? I had never heard of them.
A: No, with the exception of drummer Eric Hernandez, Mars’ brother, who was born in Brooklyn but grew up in Honolulu, playing professionally in Waikiki by the age of 10, according to his website. Mars bestowed local roots on the rest of the Hooligans as an homage.
Mahalo
Mahalo nui loa to a fine gentleman who paid for our dinner Sunday night. We entered the restaurant from the back entrance. I hope you will know who you are. We will pay it forward soon. — Two seniors using canes
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
