Aloha Stadium bill likely in current session

The Legislature came closer to setting the framework for rusting Aloha Stadium’s future Tuesday by quickly deferring House Bill 695 and leaving just two identical bills, House Bill 1497 and Senate Bill 1530, dealing with a new stadium progressing in the session.

“I think we all realize the importance of funding some of the repairs of the stadium, but also we are all in agreement that we need to look forward about what we’re going to do in terms of a new stadium and how it is going to be (accomplished),” said Rep. Richard Onishi, who presided over a combined hearing of the House committees on Tourism and International Affairs, Water, Land and Hawaiian Affairs, and Economic Development and Business.

“We’re deferring to the (House) leadership to make the decision as to which vehicle it will be and how it will be structured in working with the Senate,” said Onishi (D, Hilo-Keaau).

The two surviving bills propose creation of a stadium development district under the Hawaii Community Development Authority to take advantage of transit-oriented development and seek public-private partnership on the 98-acre parcel in Halawa where the current 45-year-old facility stands.

The bills also propose authorizing $350 million through a mix of general revenues as well as revenue and general obligation bonds.

The deferred bill was not site-specific, offered no figures and did not set a framework for who would oversee the process, but did mandate that “At least one-third of the total cost to design, construct and equip the new stadium facility is funded by the private sector.”

Onishi said he also favors “us looking at private-public partnership.” Onishi said, “I think, with the transit-oriented development (coming), that’s the perfect opportunity to look at possible developers and maybe do a package that doesn’t put the burden on the taxpayers.”

Onishi said, “For me, I think it is imperative that we move something (through the legislature) this year.”