HONOLULU, HI – August 04, 2011 - Starting this fall, local and visiting athletes will enjoy the benefits of a brand new playing field at Aloha Stadium. The state-of-the-art playing surface is part of a new sponsorship agreement between Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Sports Properties, the Stadium’s exclusive advertising representative. The multi-year sponsorship agreement includes renaming the field to Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium as well as providing funding for future field upgrades and for University of Hawaii Athletics travel expenses.
Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president and CEO, said, “Having a high-quality field is important for our local athletes, and for attracting high-profile events that benefit the community and showcase Hawaii. We are pleased to use funds from our marketing budget to contribute to these much-needed improvements and increasing our support of the home team at UH.”
The new field is the centerpiece of extensive renovations being made from top to bottom at Aloha Stadium in preparation for the start of the 2011 Hawaii high school and University of Hawaii Warrior football seasons. The UBU Speed Series S5-M turf (the newest generation of synthetic turf), will provide more padding with 2-1/2-inch “grass” blades, improved durability, and better drainage.
“We appreciate Hawaiian Airlines coming forward with its sponsorship of this outstanding new field. We are planning to unveil the new surface on August 11. It’s an exciting time for all the athletes who will be competing this upcoming season,” said Scott Chan, Aloha Stadium manager.
Hawaiian has a long history of supporting local sports for high school student-athletes statewide, and currently serves as title sponsor of the Hawaiian Airlines Hawaii High School Athletic Association Basketball State Championships for boys and girls in Division I and Division II.
Christopher Chun, executive director of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association, noted, “We are excited about the new playing surface, which will be much better for our kids. Hawaiian Airlines has been a major supporter of high school sports over the years and Aloha Stadium is the pinnacle for our student athletes, so I think this sponsorship is a great fit.”
Hawaiian was the University of Hawaii Athletics Department’s first title sponsor 24 years ago and continues to be a major supporter of UH Athletics, serving as title sponsor of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic basketball tournament and the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic.
Terms of the new Aloha Stadium sponsorship agreement were not disclosed.
About Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past seven years (2004-2010) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. In addition, consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and Zagat have all ranked Hawaiian the top domestic airline offering flights to Hawaii. Hawaiian was also the nation’s highest-ranked carrier for service quality and performance in the prestigious Airline Quality Rating (AQR) study for 2008 and 2009.
Now in its 82nd year of continuous service in Hawaii, Hawaiian is the largest provider of passenger air service to Hawaii from the state’s primary visitor markets on the U.S. mainland. Hawaiian offers nonstop service to Hawaii from more U.S. gateway cities (10) than any other airline, as well as service to South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Australia, American Samoa, and Tahiti. Hawaiian also provides approximately 150 daily jet flights between the Hawaiian Islands.
Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at www.HawaiianAirlines.com.
About Aloha Sports Properties
Aloha Sports Properties is the exclusive marketing rights partner for Aloha Stadium. Aloha Sports Properties manages corporate partnership opportunities within Aloha Stadium, including on-premise signage, entitlement opportunities, videoboard branding and premium hospitality. Aloha Sports Properties is a division of CBS Collegiate Sports Properties.
About Aloha Stadium
Located in Central Oahu, the Aloha Stadium is Hawaii’s largest outdoor arena, home to the University of Hawaii Warriors football team and the annual NFL Pro Bowl. In addition, the Aloha Stadium hosts a multitude of events attracting visitors from around the State including soccer matches, concerts, car shows, fairs and the ever popular Aloha Stadium Swap Meet & Marketplace. Visit www.alohastadium.hawaii.gov for more information.