HONOLULU -- Football fans and tailgaters urged the Aloha Stadium Authority on Wednesday night to reject a proposed ban on alcohol outside the stadium during University of Hawaii football games.

The Stadium Authority is considering the ban after a series of fights between drunken fans.

It could vote on the proposal at a Thursday morning meeting.

Several fans voiced their opposition to the partial alcohol ban during a hearing Wednesday night.

"If they ban alcohol, I believe they will lose 5,000 to 8,000 people. I really believe it," said Robert Matsumura, who has tailgated at UH football games for 28 years. "People just come out here to enjoy themselves and meet up with their friends. And there's a lot of people who just come out here to tailgate."

The proposed alcohol ban would prohibit drinking in the stadium's parking lot before, during and after college and high school football games.

The ban would not affect alcohol sales inside the stadium or apply to events such as the Pro Bowl or the Hawaii Bowl.

Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona is spearheading the push for the partial alcohol ban.

He did not attend Wednesday night's hearing, but has said in the past that the alcohol ban would promote public safety and curb underage drinking on campus.

But University of Hawaii students told Stadium Authority members that the ban would have little or no effect on underage drinking.

"If you look at ticket sales, less than 5 percent are students that are attending these games," said Katie Barry, a University of Hawaii student.

Aiona has said he would eventually like to see a total ban on alcohol -- inside the stadium as well.

But the Stadium Authority task force said a total alcohol ban would force the state to break its $1 million contract with stadium vendor "Centerplate," which has exclusive rights for all food and beverage sales in Aloha Stadium through 2011.