The University of Hawai'i athletic department's expanded preferred parking plan has some fans concerned that their ability to find parking spots and tailgate at football games might be impacted this fall.

Earlier this month the department sent out letters to the approximately 5,000 households of members of Koa Anuenue, the athletic department booster group, announcing plans to implement a system whereby reserved parking is offered to premium donors. Koa Anuenue members whose combined donations total $400 or more — including the premiums on season tickets in all sports — are eligible to purchase slots in Aloha Stadium's inner ring if they reply by July 25, according to UH officials.

UH said it controls approximately 3,000 of the 8,000 stalls. Last year it had about 1,900 for donors of $500 and above, but purchased the additional spaces from the stadium to expand the plan.

UH athletic director Jim Donovan said approximately 5,000 stalls will still be available for the $5 per game charge on a first-come basis in the upper and lower Halawa lots. Additional off-site parking is available at Richardson Field and the Kam Drive-In.

But several fans who are not members of Koa Anuenue and say they can't afford to pay the additional $400 to join fear they will no longer be able to tailgate with long-time friends. A lady who said her family has held season tickets for at least 15 years and has asked to remain anonymous said, "Parking has already been hard to get and this will make it harder."

If it becomes too difficult, she said her family has talked of staying home next year and buying the pay-per-view package instead.

She said her family has end zone seats in an area that does not require premium charges. She said she learned of the new parking plan through a friend with Koa Anuenue membership.

Approximately 28,500 seats at Aloha Stadium carry with them premium charges of $34 to $200 for season tickets. The remaining 21,500 seats do not require premium charges.

"Our motivation with this parking plan is to raise additional revenues to operate the athletic department, provide scholarships and close the gap on our budget deficit while, at the same time, helping alleviate some of the traffic problems," Donovan said.

"We are implementing a preferred parking plan utilizing the same plan many other Division I-A programs do — base the implementation on donations to the university," he added. "We do this because it can be fairly implemented and it helps stimulate additional donations to UH athletics."

Under the plan, donors with the $2,000 or more packages can receive inner circle parking for $100. Parking in the old Koa Anuenue lot is available for $125 to $400-and-above donors and $100 for $2,000-and-above donors.