HONOLULU — The long-awaited replacement turf field for Les Murakami Stadium is slated to arrive in time for the 2025 University of Hawaii baseball season — but it will be close.

UH recently provided Spectrum News with an update on an increasingly needed project that has been put off over the years.

The estimated $2.3 million project for turf and installation is tentatively set for completion in Jan. 2025, UH spokesman Dan Meisenzahl said in an email.

A contractor has yet to be selected and the exact type of turf that will be installed has yet to be determined. Work is scheduled to begin in December. The start of college baseball seasons are typically in mid-February.

UH has played on its weathered surface since the DomoTurf was installed in 2008. A previous plan called for the turf to be installed before the 2024 season before that money was rerouted for other needs on Lower Campus.

Another wish list item, a new batting cage, could be further out. UH has used a batting cage without a roof along the third base line at LMS for the last two years.

“The batting cage project is still be finalized, including the timeline,” Meisenzahl said.

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.