Changes could attract bigger stars to the Blaisdell

The Blaisdell Center is getting a nearly $6 million facelift and about a quarter of that money, is going to an area not even open to the public.

Just over $1.5 million will be going straight to the dressing rooms.

But city officials believe they will see a return on their investment because the dressing rooms could attract bigger stars and shows.

Tom Moffatt has been booking shows at the Blaisdell since 1964. And there's one thing that hasn't really changed over a half a century.

"The dressing rooms have stayed pretty much the same," says Moffatt. "I brought Sammy Davis, and Liza Minnelli, and Frank Sinatra and I remember Sammy Davis had a trailer outside the arena as his dressing room."

That's because the dressing rooms can't accommodate more than a couple people.

"It's like a sports locker room," Moffatt describes.

Over the years, he says the stars have been expecting a little more from the backstage facilities.

"Michael Jackson, we transformed the dressing room to something out of the Middle East. And the Stones, we put in pinball machines and a pool table," says Moffatt.

But now the city is investing $1.6 million over the period of six years in hopes to see big returns.

"And it's to attract the big name stars like Stevie Wonder, maybe," says Ann Kobayashi, Honolulu City Councilmember.

They're also planning to make other improvements like replacing the air conditioning system, improving the concession stands, and repairing the parking lot and roof.

"If the facilities where people get food get improved, people will eat more, spend more, and if big names come in, of course they sell a lot of tickets and that's all revenue for the city," agrees Moffatt.

Most of the repairs are scheduled to be complete by the end of 2014.

"It seems to be working, we have Cirque du Soleil, really big shows and they're selling out too," says Kobayashi.

Moffatt says some big names he's hoping to bring to the Blaisdell are Bruno Mars, James Taylor, and Chicago.

Commentary: Why did it take so long to finally make the required improvements on the Blaisdell center? Why did it take a supposed Steve Wonder concert to finally get the ball rolling? I certainly hope the money spent on improvements is well worth it.