War Memorial Stadium (Hawaii)
War Memorial Stadium is a stadium located in Wailuku, Hawaii that opened in 1969 and holds 23,000 people. It is primarily used for American football, and from 1998 through 2005 was the venue for the Hula Bowl, a college football all-star game. When the stadium originally opened in 1969 it held fewer than 7,000 people. It was expanded due to the efforts of the then-mayor of Maui, Linda Lingle, to host the Hula Bowl.
The War Memorial Stadium is also home to the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) High School Football association. The stadium is also equipped with a state of the art 440 yard track, long jump, triple jump, high jump, and pole vaulting pits. In 1972, the stadium was the site of the first State High School Track and Field Championships held outside of Honolulu, chosen in part because of the new state of the art rubberized asphalt surface.
Adjacent to the War Memorial Stadium is a 1,500 plus seat Maehara Stadium, that is home to the Maui Interscholastic League Baseball and American Legion Games. It was opened in 1972. In 1974, it played host to the Hawaii State Championship Game, featuring University of Hawaii pitching legend, then Aiea High School's sophomore sensation Derek Tatsuno against Baldwin High School's (Island of Maui) ace pitcher Tom Valdez. The pitching contest ended in a 1–0 decision in favor of Aiea High School. Valdez was drafted later that year by the St. Louis Cardinals. Tatsuno went on to star at the University of Hawaii and professional baseball in Japan.
The War Memorial Stadium Complex houses training facilities for H.P. Baldwin High School, Soccer, and Softball Fields, Soichi Sakamoto Pool, and a 2,000 plus seat gymnasium. The complex was dedicated in 1965 to honor the Veterans of Maui County (comprising the Islands of Maui, Moloka'i and Lana'i) who gave their lives in service of their country.
The Stadium complex is located on the windward side of the island between the towns of Kahului and the county seat Wailuku, on the Valley Isle of Maui and is adjacent to H.P. Baldwin High School.
Coordinates: 20°53′33.97″N 156°29′19.68″W / 20.8927694°N 156.4888000°W