Posted on: Friday, September 19, 2003

Vincent Bucaneg of Las Vegas poses with Vili "The Warrior" Fehoko on Fremont Street in Las Vegas. Thousands of University of Hawai'i fans, who packed the venue for a block party, are expected to attend today's game, too. Associated Press photo

Hawai'i fans feel right at home

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

LAS VEGAS — There is a tailgate party for 2,000, a singer from Hawai'i (Danny Estocado) to do the national anthem, a pep rally — and the sight of green everywhere.

"It is a real Hawaiian weekend all the way," said Billy Olds, born and raised in Hawai'i but now living in Las Vegas.

"This is something those of us from the island have been waiting for," Olds said.

"This" is the University of Hawai'i's football game against Nevada-Las Vegas today, the Warriors first visit here in six years, and not only have travelers from Hawai'i turned out to embrace it by the thousands, but former Hawai'i residents from as far as the East Coast have shown up.

Indeed, among the 75 who took part in the UH Football Golf Tournament fund-raiser yesterday, there were former Warrior players from California and alumni now living in Virginia, Washington D.C. and American Samoa.

There are estimates that people from Hawai'i or former residents of the state will make up half or more of the 32,000 to 35,000 expected for the game at Sam Boyd Stadium.

As of noon yesterday, 30,100 tickets had been sold, according to UNLV marketing director Melissa Meacham.

More then 6,000 of those were sold or distributed directly to Hawai'i fans through UH and the Boyd Gaming Group, which is sponsoring the game.

"I think it is fabulous that there could be 10,000 people from the Islands," said John Robinson, the UNLV head coach who could find his team the "visitor" in its own 36,800-seat stadium. "I just like the idea of a good crowd that makes a lot of noise."

Rob Stillwell, spokesman for the Boyd Group, which operates five hotels here including Sam's Town, where the tailgate will take place, said the properties' 5,000-plus rooms are "running close" to capacity with a guest list that is largely from Hawai'i.

A spokesman for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors said if 10,000 of those fans come from out of state it will be worth an estimated $6.4 million to the area economy.

There are pre- and post-game parties planned for today and the festivities will spill over to tomorrow and Sunday with a Ho'olaule'a at Lorenzi Park in Las Vegas featuring booths by the UH Alumni Association and Rainbowtique. In addition, the UH Lettermen's Club and ROTC Alumni are having events.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.