SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center — Attraction in Honolulu

This is another great example of a Hawai'i facility having no clue how to communicate their own rules and not keeping the public/their patrons clearly informed of what their expectations actually are. They need to either update their bag policy on their website, or enforce it equally at entry. This might sound pretty minor, but this type of behavior (or laziness/lack thereof) has a compounding effect, results in a huge waste of time, and doesn't exactly inspire me to patronize their business again in the future.

I am a stickler for rules, so I read their Clear Bag Policy and "Approved Bags" description back and forth. This is verbatim from the Hawaii Athletics website's Stan Sheriff Center Game Day Information page: "Attendees may bring in one (1) clear bag no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” and are limited to one clear bag per person. Exceptions include 5.5" x 8.5" clutch purse or 3" x 4" clutch purse." Great, so I measure one of my tiny bags, literally with a ruler, and it is 5.5" x 8.5" exactly. However, when we get to the door, they tell us that NO non-clear bags are allowed at all, regardless of size, and they have to stay out. I am a physically small woman and don't have the energy to pull up the website or try to argue/mansplain to this large man his own facility's policy while he rambles on about what could happen even if we place our tiny, allowed bags into a clear bag that one of us had (which people definitely do). So one person from my group instead leaves the line to bring all our (very much within the policy's size rule) non-clear tiny bags to the car, and unfortunately has to stand in the long, messy lines all over again.

Yet when we get inside, we see a bunch of non-clear bags that are the same size if not larger than ours. And, again, tons of folks with bags larger than that, that they've simply stuffed into a clear bag. Not to mention, a ton of people brought full-on seat cushions (fair, as the hard seats can be uncomfortable) that are obviously WAY larger than our clutch-sized bags and have zippered covers that, in theory, someone could simply stuff their belongings into and sneak in prohibited items.

I guess, bottom line is, I don't know anymore what's allowed or what's not because they don't even follow their own written policy. I suppose you just have to be lucky not to be standing this guy's line, or hide your stuff better than I did, or whatever their unwritten policy is. Otherwise, the actual...

Pretty much every seat in the place has a good view. Easy to get tickets at the box office and walk right in. Parking can be a trick though, with tight stalls and sloppy parkers with oversized trucks. The food available leaves a lot to be desired... Almost all the food options are run by kids on sports teams fundraising for one thing or another so service is a real shot in the dark every time you come. It also depends on how popular the event is, dictating which options will be open - low crowds will mean most options will be closed and unavailable. There are probably around 6 places total to get food from (more like 2 on slow nights and up to 8 on a busy night), all with different but equally terrible options. Chicken strips and fries are the go-to with the kids. The hamburgers are terrible, but probably one of only 2 ways to get fresh produce in the lettuce and tomato slice. Pizza is usually overcooked and look like tiny sargento's. Garlic fries can be good, but maaan are they heavy-handed on the garlic, depending on who is working that station for fundraising. The Station with Saimin and fried noodles along with edamame are okay, but I more often prefer the Campbell's soups station where, if you get there early enough, you can find a pre-made sandwich or grab and go salad or fresh fruit cup. Soups vary day to day, but chili and rice is a great option there and always available. There is usually one place to get alcohol (the beer garden) but if it's a busy night they will open a couple of extra kiosks which will then also offer Blue Moon! Yum! Bombucha Nachos is also tasty but not always open and definitely terrible for those watching their calories. Buckets of jalapeños available for the taking when nachos are...

Just caught the wahine volleyball season opener, and let me tell you, I had no idea how that game was going to go. But hey, they pulled off a win, and I'm all for it! This place has a way of promising a good time and almost always delivering a win for the home team. I don't come around here as much as I used to—mainly when I'm back in town to catch a few games—but every time I do, it’s like a nostalgic trip mixed with some new surprises.

Speaking of surprises, the food vendors have seriously upped their game. It used to be the same old options, but now there's a whole new lineup to enjoy. There's a lot more variety, especially for those of us who appreciate a good adult beverage. And let’s not forget the nachos, saimin and edamame snacks—they’re the perfect game-time companions. Nothing beats watching a great match and yummy food, It’s like a winning combo for a...