The one time Debbie Jackson cried upon leaving Hawai'i two years ago was when she signed over her University of Hawai'i football season tickets to longtime friend Susan Zukeran of Mililani.

Yesterday, Zukeran returned the favor by using her Hawai'i driver's license to buy two Sugar Bowl tickets for Jackson, who now lives in San Antonio.

"She's the biggest UH fan you'll ever find," Zukeran said. "From here, I go to FedEx to make sure she gets them in time."

Zukeran was among a handful of UH fans taking advantage of yesterday's final day of ticket sales strictly for Hawai'i fans.

Today, what few Sugar Bowl tickets remain will be sold online starting at 8 a.m. through etickethawaii.com and at its bowl ticket office in the Marriott New Orleans. UH officials said yesterday they were confident the slow trickle of walk-ups at the Stan Sheriff Center — with more than 100 sold over the past two days — was an indication that all ticket needs in Hawai'i were met.

"Now that we have taken care of ticket requests from our season-ticket holders and UH fans in Hawai'i, we're going to make the remaining tickets available to Mainland fans and members of the general public," said UH athletic director Herman Frazier in a statement. "We have worked diligently through this process to take care of our affinity groups, while also doing our best to help other fans secure tickets."

UH was allotted 15,250 Sugar Bowl tickets. The Superdome seats 72,000 and the game is listed as a sellout, but tickets remain available.

While smiles greeted every ticket purchased at the Stan Sheriff Center yesterday, Jackson's message to Zukeran when she confirmed the purchase was simple:

"I love you! I love you! I love you!" Jackson, an attorney, said she shouted into her cell phone. "I'm such a diehard 'Bows fan. My nephew and I will drive about eight hours on the day of the game, watch it, then maybe get a hotel room on the route back. It's worth it. I've been following the 'Bows all over."

Laufatu Mataipule of Kaimuki also was a last-minute ticket buyer yesterday. He bought three tickets for friends and family in Miami and Kentucky, bringing his total New Orleans-bound contingent to seven. After spending the past two years in Iraq as a general contractor with the U.S. military, the Sugar Bowl will be the first time Mataipule will see the Warriors play live this season.

"I mostly followed them through word of mouth and some highlights," Mataipule said. "Since I'm back, I couldn't miss this opportunity. It will be the only time I'll see them play all year."

Lovey Palepale-Papalii of Kalihi brought her son, Pete, 15, and 21-month old daughter, Vikatolia, to buy two tickets after finding out on Christmas Day that she had won an award from her employer, Hawaiian Airlines, of two roundtrip airline tickets to New Orleans if she wanted to go.

"I'm very excited to have the chance to go to New Orleans and be a part of this," Palepale-Papalii said. "It's the chance of a lifetime for me. If my husband can get off from work I'll take him. If not, my son is coming."

Reach Dave Dondoneau at ddondoneau@honoluluadvertiser.com.

Make a difference. Donate to The Advertiser Christmas Fund.