The traditional red sea of University of Wisconsin football fans in Aloha Stadium might be more like a lake this year.

Estimates are that the turnout of Badger faithful for Saturday's game against the University of Hawai'i will be down "30-to-40" percent from past years.

An estimated 4,000 are expected to be on hand for the game, down from an estimated 6,000 fans here for the Badgers' last appearance, a 41-24 win over UH in 2005.

Wisconsin fans have been among the most prolific and visible backers of their football team in Honolulu and elsewhere. Traditionally, only Nebraska's numbers have matched or surpassed those of the Badgers here.

The two largest crowds in Nevada-Las Vegas history have both involved Wisconsin with upwards of 20,000 Badger fans. An estimated 65,000 Badger fans made it to the 1994 Rose Bowl, some even securing tickets in the UCLA card section.

But with the sagging economy and a number of competing trips, UW officials and Wisconsin-based travel executives say the numbers are expected to be down significantly in Hawai'i. "Based upon the reservations we've seen, they're probably down 30 to 40 percent this year," said Scott Mast of Madison, Wis.-based Burkhalter Travel.

UW requested 3,000 tickets from UH but was able to sell only 1,300, a spokesman said. In 2005, UW sold all 3,300 of its allotment.

Terry Murawski of the "W" Booster Club said approximately 1,500 Badger faithful followed the basketball team in the Maui Invitational last week, many of whom are also staying over for the football game. But he and Wisconsin travel executives say the combination of Maui, the UH game, the upcoming bowl game and next season's game at UNLV have forced fans to be more choosy about which events they will attend in this economy.

"The numbers are down this year as with everything in the economy," said Jim Donovan, UH athletic director. "But they still support their team very, very well."