Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) is the new field sponsor for Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium. On August 11, 2011, the Aloha Stadium Authority unveiled its new UBU Sports Speed Series S5-M synthetic turf, and its new sponsor, Hawaiian Airlines.  Aloha Stadium held its annual media day before the beginning of the high school and collegiate football seasons.  The airline will use funds from its marketing budget to sponsor the maintenance of the playing surface, and is partnering with Aloha Sports Properties, the stadium’s advertising and marketing arm.  The field has been renamed “Hawaiian Airlines Field At Aloha Stadium”.  The new field is the crown jewel of an extensive renovation project undertaken by the State of Hawai‘i, it features a more resilient surface than the previous synthetic turf, which had reached the end of its life.  New signage of the new sponsorship has been placed in, and around Aloha Stadium.  Some of the banners are placed in the mauka (mountain-side) and makai (ocean-side) gaps in the North End Zone; banners and illuminated signs on the upper level facades, and special markings painted on both 25-yard-lines.  The airline will also be major sponsor of instant replays on the in-house AlohaVision video scoreboard, and will assist with travel expenses for the entire University of Hawai‘i Athletic Department.

Hawaiian Air CEO Mark Dunkerley was on-hand at the unveiling, and noted that Hawaiian Air is committed to supporting the University of Hawai‘i’s Athletic Department, “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. This partnership meets all kinds of needs for the high school and sporting communities, it will attract different sporting events, and for us, it will promote the state of Hawai‘i as a destination, and Hawaiian Airlines as a means of getting to Hawai‘i.  The people will have a sense of place with Aloha Stadium and the Hawaiian Airlines name on the field that will be seen on television both locally and nationally.  There’s a great sense of excitement among out 4,500-plus employees to see the Hawaiian Airlines name along with the University of Hawai‘i football team. “

This is the largest sports sponsorship that Hawaiian Air has embarked on with the University of Hawaii. The airline is also the title sponsor for the University’s Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic men’s basketball tournament, and the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine (women’s) Volleyball Classic.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura. CEO Mark Dunkerley inspects the new name for Aloha Stadium’s turf.

Hawaiian Slide Show: CLICK HERE