Lawmakers debate NACED funding and contingency plan for UH football; bill passed third reading

Members of the Hawaii House debated House Bill 14 94 (HD 3), which would alter the state's approach to the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District (NACED) project and authorize alternative uses for Clarence T. C. Ching Field if NACED fails to proceed.

Representative Garrett spoke in support of HB 1494 HD 3, saying the project has ‘‘shifted dramatically’’ and developers acknowledged a funding shortfall of ‘‘several hundred million dollars,’’ raising the risk of a costly outcome. He urged a contingency plan that could transform Ching Field into a permanent facility for University of Hawaii football and warned that the $350,000,000 currently allocated for NACED was ‘‘set to lapse this summer’’ without a signed deal.

Representative Shimizu opposed the bill, saying the measure ‘‘essentially kills the current NACED development’’ and could waste millions already invested and expose the state to legal liability if the existing procurement or development team pursued claims. She urged members to adopt a Water and Land Committee amendment to preserve the Halawa site and reappropriate funds to prevent lapse, while allowing options such as selling naming rights.

Other members split: Representative Grandinetti noted stadium complexes seldom return economic gains to cities and cautioned about taxpayer exposure; Representative Loewen asked to insert comments to correct public misunderstanding and explained the bill’s intent is to improve utilities’ access to capital (note: the comments were part of an adjacent utilities discussion but were entered during the same consent/ordinary calendar segment). Representatives discussed tariffs and rising construction costs (one member referenced new tariffs on steel and aluminum affecting construction pricing).

The clerk’s later summary of votes recorded that on the measures before the House, for STANCOM report number 1034 (HB 14 94 HD 3), Representatives Holt, Kong and Tam were recorded as voting no, while the bill proceeded through third reading as part of the day’s bundle of bills.

Why it matters: HB 1494 addresses contingency planning for an expensive, multi-hundred-million-dollar development, balancing commitments already made with financial prudence and the potential for major cost overruns or lapsed appropriations. The debate highlighted concerns about legal exposure, reputational damage, and the state's ability to deliver a stadium solution for the University of Hawaii.

What’s next: With the bill recorded as passing third reading, the Senate will next consider the measure and any amendments.