From the first field goal through every down and until the bitter end, Warrior fans across the state kept the faith, raising ti leaves and paper cups throughout the big game that ended in disappointment.

Even as it soon became obvious that there would be no dream ending to UH's season, fans on all islands cheered loud enough to be heard in New Orleans.

Those attending a large party at the home of Kata and Janet Maduli were energetic and vocal throughout the Sugar Bowl.

No matter what the play, these Kalihi fans never lost their Warrior pride.

"The team gives us all so much inspiration," said Richard Kahihikolo. "They're a small little team that has made it to the Sugar Bowl. We're a small school in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The people of Hawai'i are so supportive of them whether they win or lose. It's about the mana of the team, the spirit."

Screaming "Let's go, Warriors, let's go," the crowd was out of control during the last three minutes of the game.

Damaso Bastatas, a friend of Kata Maduli for 36 years, said he will never forget the year the team made it all the way to the Sugar Bowl.

Across the state, Warrior football fans were glued to their TV sets. Even casual supporters cheered the team's successes and moaned over its fumbles.

At the Dole Cannery Ballroom in Iwilei, hundreds watched a 10-by-14-foot TV screen.

'WE'LL BE AT THE PARADE'

Lenell Campbell was there with her daughter, Kaytlyn, and husband, Kalae.

"There's no negative at all. 12-1. Nobody else can say 12-1, just us. Of course, we want to win, but what we had going in, WAC champs, nobody had. It was all good. All good."

"We'll be at the parade whenever it is, wherever it is."

Also at the Iwilei event was Nu'uanu resident Jennifer Jones, who said the experience "was amazing, truly the realization of the Aloha Spirit. It was really great for the people of Hawai'i to come together and celebrate."

Jones, who attended the party with friends, said the Warriors' appearance at the Sugar Bowl was a victory in itself.

"I feel bad that they didn't do as well as they would have liked, but in the end, it's an honor," she said. "When they come home, we need to focus on the fact that they were actually there (in a BCS Bowl game). As a whole, they can walk away very proud from that."

Not even losing their cable TV signal right before halftime deterred some fans, who quickly switched over to watching on laptop computers rather than miss a minute of the game.

At the Madulis' party, about 60 friends and relatives rang green cowbells and waved ti leaves with each UH gain.

Four televisions broadcast the game with the sound coming through large speakers. Every kind of Warrior shirt was worn, by fans of all ages, from toddlers to senior citizens.

Like many households, the extended Maduli family held potluck gatherings for each game during the 12-0 regular season.

Lucia Abero, Kata Maduli's sister, said, "I wanted to go to the game, but I couldn't get time off from work."

Instead, she led the cheers at the party. She moved when the players moved and stood throughout much of the 4 1/2-hour game. And she remained hopeful of victory even when others had given up.

'I STILL BELIEVE'

Before halftime, when Hawai'i was down by 14 points, Abero took her ti leaf in hand and yelled: "I still believe. They winning in heart."

She never lost her spunk and was still waving her shredded ti leaf at game's end. She said that no matter what, it had been an honor to feel part of this Warrior team.

Many of the fans at the party have been staunch fans even during losing seasons.

Desmond Paracuelles, of Wahiawa, is one of those. He brought his five sons, and all wore green.

"This is the furthest that a Hawai'i team has ever gone," Paracuelles said. "I'm proud of their success."

Host Kata Maduli summed up the spirit of the evening when he said, "We still got there. We're still the WAC champions. You can't take that away. We're still proud of the boys."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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