Money is the first answer. Major league teams require major league money - of which not many here in Hawaii have. Larger corporations who typically support sports teams do not exist in Hawaii.

Space is the second. The current stadium (outdated and showing its age) will not hold crowds in the 100's of thousands (maximum capacity = 50,000). also traffic and parking around the Aloha Stadium is congested at best - having a major event at the stadium affects traffic for several hours in all directions around it.

Finally, the cost of getting OTHER teams here to compete is astronomical. Where teams can bus across the country - EVERY team has to fly out here. Great for our hotels! Bad on spending budgets of the teams' owners. Many college teams complain about the cost, then about the acclimation for competing here. Some have even stated it is the short time-frame before a game (typically one day) that causes visiting teams to lose a game to our University teams.
Source(s):
personal experience
Stadium facts: http://alohastadium.hawaii.gov/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloha_Stadium
2001 article for a MINOR league baseball team cites some woes, and hopes: http://archives.starbulletin.com/2001/07/25/news/story1.html

Permalink | Report