Aloha Stadium built to replace ‘Termite Palace’ for just $37M

It took almost 20 years for the idea of a large stadium to replace Honolulu Stadium to come to fruition. Mayor Neal S. Blaisdell first proposed it in 1958. The Fire Department said the old “Termite Palace” was a firetrap. Sporting and other events had been held at the old Honolulu Stadium on King Street since it opened in 1926, but it was thought that a growing city needed a bigger stadium.

Between 1958 and 1975, many locations were considered. The Ala Wai Golf Course site was considered, as were the University of Hawaii Quarry, Diamond Head Crater, Kapiolani Park, McKinley High School, Sand Island and Keehi Lagoon Park.

A Citizen’s Stadium Committee selected Halawa and originally it was called Halawa Stadium. The Honolulu Advertiser held a “Name the Stadium” contest in 1974. More than 10,000 names were submitted, including Poi Bowl, Pineapple Bowl, Aloharena and John A. Burns Stadium. “Aloha Stadium” won the most votes.

Honolulu Stadium was torn down in 1976 and the area was turned into a park.

The new stadium opened on Sept. 12, 1975, 36 years ago this week, says Rich Budnick, author of “Hawaii’s Forgotten History.” The price tag was $37 million.

Four movable sections weighing 3.5 million pounds each allowed the stadium to shift from football to baseball configuration. Maintenance costs caused the state to permanently set it in 2007.