A pumped-up crowd of more than 250 family, friends and fans welcomed the Waipi'o Little League World Series champs home last night with screams, hugs, applause and showers of lei.

The spectacle drove home for the homesick and exhausted players just how much they have achieved — and just how many were rooting for them in their home state.

"I feel really excited," said Keelen Obedoza, a 13-year-old catcher, after getting off the plane at Honolulu International Airport and seeing a gaggle of reporters waiting for the team.

The whole experience, he added, in classic teenage style, was "pretty neat."

The players landed about 6:15 p.m.

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona was there to greet them at the gate, shaking their hands and congratulating them all. "This is very significant for the state, as you well know," Aiona told the players. "You represented not only Hawai'i, but the United States of America."

As the players left their arrivals gate, a spontaneous crowd of supporters — who were waiting for their own flights — gave them a big round of applause, patted them on the back and asked for autographs.

That welcome was just a taste of what was waiting for them outside the baggage claim area, where an enthusiastic crowd gathered to greet the boys with ear-splitting screams and hearty applause.

Before long, the kids were showered in lei.

Alicia Stevens, of Waipi'o, held a 6-foot-long "Aloha and Welcome Home" sign for the champs. Though she doesn't have any relatives on the team, she said her son used to play for Waipi'o and she feels a personal connection to their victory.

"We're just one big 'ohana in baseball," she said, laughing.

The Waipi'o players, all 12- and 13-year-olds, have been on the road for a month, playing their way up to the Little League World Series. They beat Mexico on Sunday, 12-3, in South Williamsport, Pa.

For coach Timo Donahue, 41, the whole experience is still a bit surreal.

"It really hasn't settled in," he said after getting off the plane.

Player Jordan Ulep, 12, added that though the wins were important, the experience was also about meeting new people and learning about their cultures.

Of the competition, he said, "It was fun and exhausting."

The kids got off the plane wearing their team's sky-blue ball caps.

Many of their supporters also wore the team's color.

Macky Duque, grand-aunt to third baseman Pikai Winchester, got to the airport about two hours early yesterday to make sure she got a good spot in the crowd. She said she knew the team was good, but didn't know it was that good.

"I never thought they would go this far," Duque said.

Matthew DeLang, Waipi'o team official, said he's still a little shocked, too.

"For me, it hasn't really sunk in," he said.

Just talking about the win brought tears to Melanie Ah Sam's eyes.

"I'm tearing up already," said Ah Sam, cousin to player Trevor Ling.

As Waipi'o player Tanner Tokunaga signed autographs and took photos with fans yesterday, his father, Glenn, was already getting requests for the 12-year-old to appear on morning radio shows. Glenn Tokunaga said the team's journey has been incredible and inspiring. "We are just living the dream," he said.

But before long, the kids will have to come back down to Earth. Many will have to return to middle school today. And since most have missed a lot of homework, they'll have some catching up to do.

Player Ulumano Farm, though, plans to extend his leave from school just one more day.

Today, he said, he's sleeping in.