It was easy to tell the soccer faithful in Honolulu yesterday.

For most, it was just another beautiful day in the Islands.

But for those, including three University of Hawai'i students, whose eyes were glued to a TV set during breakfast at a local bar/restaurant, it was the official start of World Cup soccer season.

"These guys are so good, it's amazing," said Cheria West, 22, who along with James Roberts, 37, and Sue Theberge, 22, caught a game at Lulu's Waikiki. They were watching Ecuador take on Poland in one of the opening games of the World Cup, the once-every-four-years international soccer championship.

"This is my first time watching the World Cup, but I like it," said Roberts. "It's nonstop. "

Bartender Ryan Tiesiera, 29, said more people showed up to watch the Germany vs. Costa Rica game earlier yesterday morning. Tiesiera, a fan of the Portuguese and U.S. teams, said he's going to start coming into work earlier, now that the World Cup is on.

Fans also are getting ready to watch the games at Hawai'i Pacific University, where Scott Liedtke, associate director of admissions and HPU's men's assistant soccer coach, is organizing get-togethers for the school's many soccer fans.

Liedtke noted that not many people were watching yesterday's games, however, "the bigger games will draw more people."

Liedtke said he thought getting together at the school's Sea Warrior Center would be a good idea for the school's international student body.

HPU has a large population of Swedish, German and Japanese students, a built-in soccer fan base. Because of the school's schedule, it will only be able to show the 9 a.m. games.