Honolulu Stadium
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Honolulu Stadium was a stadium located in the Moʻiliʻili district of Honolulu, Hawai'i, at the corner of King and Isenberg Streets. Opened in 1926 by Wallace R. Farrington and demolished in 1976 by Mayor of Honolulu Frank Fasi, it was the primary sports venue in Hawai'i preceding the Aloha Stadium. Honolulu Stadium was home to University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and high school football games, winter league baseball, polo matches and stock car racing among other events.
Famous athletes who competed in Honolulu Stadium include Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio (hit a home run out of the park in 1944) and Jesse Owens. Irving Berlin performed at Honolulu Stadium in 1945. Elvis Presley performed in 1957 while Billy Graham inspired a sold out crowd a year later.
Locals grew to love Honolulu Stadium not only for its events but also for its food. Honolulu Stadium first popularized saimin as a fast-food menu item. For the first time in American ballpark history, saimin, boiled peanuts and plate lunches were more popular with fans than hot dogs, hamburgers and bratwurst.
By the early 1970s, the largely wooden structure had reportedly become termite-infested and had to be replaced after its long service to the community. A public park, Stadium Park, now sits at this location. There is a plaque at the corner of King and Isenberg commemorating the stadium.
