HONOLULU – The long-awaited redevelopment of Aloha Stadium is officially underway after two major agreements were finalized Thursday between the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District (NASED) project team and developer Aloha Halawa District Partners (AHDP). The milestone sets the stage for the demolition of the existing Aloha Stadium, which is scheduled to begin in just two weeks.
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Under the Stadium Development and Operation Agreement, AHDP will oversee dismantling of the current stadium, followed by the design, construction, operation, and long-term maintenance of the new facility. After a 30-year operations and maintenance term, the new stadium will ultimately be returned to the state.
According to the agreement, the dismantling phase is expected to take about one year, with full removal of the old facility by July 2026. Construction of the new stadium will then take approximately two and a half years, with the venue projected to open its doors in March 2029.
A second agreement, the Initial Ground Lease, grants AHDP access to part of the surrounding site to facilitate both the dismantling process and the early stages of construction. Additional agreements related to real estate development in the wider district are expected in the coming months.
“Today’s agreements are an encouraging milestone for the new Aloha Stadium and for the future of UH Athletics,” said Matt Elliott, University of Hawaii athletics director. “While there is still much work ahead, the progress being made gives all of us reason to be optimistic.”
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The new Aloha Stadium is being designed as a modern, multi-purpose venue. It will feature 22,500 seats, with the flexibility to expand capacity if future funding becomes available. The stadium will accommodate a wide range of events, including University of Hawaii football games, soccer and rugby matches, major concerts, community gatherings, and other large-scale events.
State officials emphasized that the redevelopment will also create a new entertainment district in Halawa, providing economic opportunities, revitalizing the surrounding area, and offering residents and visitors a year-round destination beyond game days.
The project has been years in the making, as the original Aloha Stadium, which opened in 1975, faced escalating maintenance costs and structural concerns that made redevelopment the more viable long-term option.
With demolition now imminent, stakeholders say this new phase marks a turning point. The agreements not only provide a clear timeline but also signal the state’s commitment to ensuring that Hawaii continues to have a modern stadium capable of supporting both athletics and cultural events for decades to come.
Originally reported by HNN Staff in Hawaii News Now.
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