The Hawai'i High School Athletic Association's executive board has again delayed a vote on whether to reduce some state tournament fields from 12 teams to eight.

The board held a previously scheduled meeting yesterday to discuss other issues, but also had planned to vote on a recommendation by athletic directors that only 33 percent of the total number of teams in each division statewide be awarded state tournament berths.

Currently, all team state tournament fields except football have 12 teams each. The recommendation — if approved — would effectively reduce some state tournaments (mostly in Division II) to eight teams.

The HHSAA executive board voted on all other AD recommendations except this one on June 16, after being alerted by Department of Education gender equity specialist Raymond Fujino to be careful about cutting participation in other sports but not football.

O'ahu Interscholastic Association executive director Dwight Toyama told The Advertiser yesterday his league provided some data with regard to gender equity numbers, but the other four leagues represented wanted to take the information back to their athletic directors for review before voting.

The board will likely vote on the issue at its July 27 meeting, Toyama said.