Features

Three proposals shortlisted to build new Aloha Stadium

Three developer-led teams have been selected as finalists to present proposals for the rebuilding of the Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

The State of Hawaii has priority-listed the three proposals following a thorough review of responses it received to a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) issued in March. The RFQ includes the new Aloha Stadium complemented by a mix of developments that will connect the venue to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) station.

The three teams that have been priority-listed are Aloha Stadium District Partners, Aloha Stadium Hui Hilina’I and Waiola Development Partners.

Aloha Stadium District Partners is a consortium comprising John Laing Investments Limited, Civil & Building North America, Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, NBBJ Hawaii, RMA Architects, Aramark Management Services and Honeywell International.

Aloha Stadium Hui Hilina’I will comprise Plenary Americas US Holdings, PCL Investments Canada, M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, KYA, Nordic PCL Construction and Johnson Controls.

Waiola Development Partners will be made up of EllisDon Capital, Kobayashi Group, BSC Acquisitions II, Design Partners Incorporated, MANICA Architecture, Turner Construction Company, Nan Inc. and Spectra.

Chris Kinimaka, public works administrator for the Department of Accounting and General Services, said: “We are very fortunate to have been able to select three highly qualified potential partners who are as committed and passionate about moving the NASED (New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District) forward as we are, particularly at this time when Hawaii needs to spur our economic recovery and sustainability.”

The next step will be the Request for Proposal process. During this stage, each respondent will be required to propose their own designs for the new stadium and detail their construction, financing and maintenance plans for the facility, as well as a master planning approach for the district.

The State of Hawaii is planning on beginning the RFP process by the middle of next year, before signing a contract with the selected public-private partnership development partner by the end of 2021.

It is hoped the NASED will transform the site of the current 50,000-seat stadium into a mixed-use development offering live, work and play components as well as community assets.

In July, it was reported that the project to redevelop Aloha Stadium was facing substantial delays after what was described as a “monumental error” in drawing up a bill crucial to its progress. It had originally been targeted that the new stadium would open in September 2023.

In February, Crawford Architects released a flyby video in collaboration with the State of Hawaii to showcase concept renderings for the new stadium and surrounding district. The video, which can be viewed below, is conceptual and will not represent the final design.

Image: New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District