Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

, $49.5 million of funding allocated towards developing the New Aloha Stadium and Entertainment District (NASED) will no longer be accessible. 

The legislature recently moved House Bill 1494 and Senate Bill 1589, which may have allowed Aloha Stadium to get those funds, but interim manager Chris Sadayasu was not holding his breath. 

"We still have an opportunity, if they schedule it for tomorrow, for that to move," Sadayasu told Aloha State Daily after Thursday morning's Stadium Authority meeting. "But we're not crossing our fingers. We're just not confident that they'll move forward."

Despite the latest hurdle in building the new Aloha Stadium, a preliminary development agreement (PDA) between the New Aloha Stadium and Entertainment District and 

, the developer of the project, was signed on March 31. A June 30 deadline between NASED and AHDP to execute a contract remains on track. Sadayasu called the PDA "definitely a step in the right direction." 

Sadayasu says the hope is for demolition to begin promptly after the contract between NASED and AHDP is executed. 

"We continue to to negotiate the contract documents and we'll do our best to find a way to move the project forward and approach the legislature next year with a project underway, hopefully demolition, which would take 10 months, starting in August," he said. "By the time the next session opens in January 2026, we will have something demonstrable to say OK, we've moved forward to fulfill the intent of the legislature that appropriated funds back in 2022 that there is a project to move forward, and so let's get access to those funds."

In light of the $49.5 million shortage, NASED and AHDP are considering alternatives that could involve making the initial seating capacity 20,000, with room to add more seats in the future. 

"We still have to sit down with the developer and figure out what opportunities they can do. We are discussing building a stadium that can be then retrofitted...maybe the seating capacity goes down," Sadayasu said, "and then you just plan for building future (seats) when additional funds come available. So, that's still to be determined."

Gov. Josh Green has continued to seek additional funding for the stadium, with costs expected to increase due to inflation and tariffs. 

"He continues to discuss and pitch philanthropists," Sadayasu said of Green. "We're always open and willing, and that's why we're trying to make sure that the stadium design and construction allows for expansion should those additional funds come in."

As the June 30 deadline to execute a contract approaches, Sadayasu remains hopeful that a process years in the making will culminate with the start of a new one. The goal remains to have a new stadium ready by the start of the 2028 college football season. 

"I think we've done a good job and we appreciate everybody's support for the project. I read concerns that this is another rail project, and they're like, do we have plans? We have a reputable developer, and so we're excited to bring a project to fruition," he said. 

Stadium Authority Meeting 042425

<title>New Aloha Stadium remains on track despite $49.5 million hurdle</title>

Alternatives for how the new Aloha Stadium will be built are being considered due to the results of House Bill 300.

New Aloha Stadium remains on track despite $49.5 million hurdle

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

These new limited-edition Lilo & Stitch Spam Classic cans are now available at Hawaiʻi retailers. We learned this through a post from 

, and stopped at the closest Longs Drugs store (in this case, the one at Salt Lake Shopping Center) to see if we could get our hands on them.

There are three different designs available, but this Longs Drugs store only had two of them.

We were told the cans are usually $3.79 each — the same price as the other Spam varieties — but there was a sale during the time of our visit, so we scored two cans for $5.50. And no, this isnʻt a tropical Spam flavor; the cans just sport a new design, in honor of the upcoming live action Lilo & Stitch movie by Disney.

If you don’t see these limited-edition cans, ask a staff member. In our case, these were so new that they weren’t even stocked on store shelves just yet.

While these cans are currently available at Hawaiʻi retailers, they will be on the US Mainland starting May 1, according to the 

You will also be able to find them at the 

Lilo and Stitch Spam cans 041825

<title>Limited-edition Lilo & Stitch Spam classic cans now available in Hawaiʻi stores</title>

There are three different designs available.

Limited-edition Lilo & Stitch Spam classic cans now available in Hawaiʻi stores

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Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

Public housing agency evicted a woman in 2021 when a guest, her son, attacked a neighbor with a bat. She fought back.

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Pearl City tenant wrongfully evicted after baseball bat attack, state Supreme Court rules

Poirier, who has defeated Holloway twice, is set to retire following the fight in New Orleans.

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Waianae's Max Holloway to take on Dustin Poirier at UFC 318

Sip ‘N Slide just opened in Lāʻie Village Center.

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This new soda shop has an indoor playground

Cheryl Tsutsumi

Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi

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Kahuku-born and -raised, Melvin Matsuda decamped to California in the early ’70s with his black belt and ran successful martial arts schools in San Bernadino and Palm Springs for five years. But when his father asked if he would come home to look after the family farm, he signed on, came home, and never looked back.

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Uncles and Aunties: Melvin Matsuda, the karate farmer of Kahuku

Real Estate

Lawsuit against Hawai‘i County could set precedent for other permitting woes, plaintiff says.

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Hawai‘i Island homeowner wins three-year permit battle

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts previously sponsored the Hawai‘i Bowl from 2003 to 2013.

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Sheraton returns as Hawai‘i Bowl sponsor

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Savaiinaea was selected by the Dolphins in the second round with the 37th overall selection.

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Saint Louis alumnus Jonah Savaiinaea selected by Miami Dolphins in NFL Draft

<title>Aloha State Daily – Hawaii News, Island Culture, Breaking Events, Sports & Community…</title>

Ajitama Hawaiʻi offers ramen egg musubi, matcha and more

New ajitama musubi is an “egg-cellent” addition to the Kakaʻako neighborhood

Located in the Nā Lama Kukui Lifestyle & Design Center in Iwilei, a grand opening is planned for Sunday, May 4.

HPM Building Supply to host grand opening for O‘ahu Design Centers

The four-time Grammy award winner and five-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winner is back to his Hawaiʻi Island roots with this free concert in Hilo during Merrie Monarch Festival.

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Headlines

Pearl City tenant wrongfully evicted after baseball bat attack, state Supreme Court rules

Waianae's Max Holloway to take on Dustin Poirier at UFC 318

This new soda shop has an indoor playground

Uncles and Aunties: Melvin Matsuda, the karate farmer of Kahuku

Hawai‘i Island homeowner wins three-year permit battle

Sheraton returns as Hawai‘i Bowl sponsor

Aloha State Daily - Hawaii News

News

Headlines

Pearl City tenant wrongfully evicted after baseball bat attack, state Supreme Court rules

Waianae's Max Holloway to take on Dustin Poirier at UFC 318

This new soda shop has an indoor playground

Uncles and Aunties: Melvin Matsuda, the karate farmer of Kahuku

Hawai‘i Island homeowner wins three-year permit battle

Sheraton returns as Hawai‘i Bowl sponsor