For the first time in its 43-year tenancy at Aloha Stadium, the University of Hawaii is closing the upper level end-zone seats this season to save money.

Stadium manager Scott Chan said UH requested the action from the beginning of the season to save on operational costs in light of expected small turnouts. The move is estimated to save UH $780 per game and more than $4,500 for the season in clean-up costs and usher pay.

The seats, which total less than 10,000, are in the red and yellow sections in the north and south end zones.

Former athletic director Ben Jay explored the possibility of closing off approximately 15,000 seats for the 2014 season due to declining attendance but backed off because it would have required relocating some season ticket holders. No season ticket holders are being impacted by the current closing.

Athletic director David Matlin, while executive director of the Hawaii Bowl, and many of his bowl predecessors regularly closed sections.

UH does not pay rent at the stadium but is charged for so-called out-of-pocket expenses, including electricity, cleanup, ushers, security and box-office operations that can run $90,000-$100,000 per game.

Under the terms of a new provision in the stadium’s contract with UH this season the school can receive credits toward its expenses if turnstile attendance hits any of four agreed upon levels. So far, Chan said, UH is due $5,000 in credits against its expenses for having hit the Level 1 target (attendance of between 22,500 and 24,999) in its first two home games.

UH drew 22,725 for its Sept. 2 opener against Western Carolina and 23,386 for the Colorado State game.

UH has not drawn 35,000 or more for a home game since the 2011 season opener against Colorado. Last season UH averaged 19,298 per game.