Football fans flocked to Aloha Stadium last night to witness the new era of Warrior football under head coach Greg McMackin.

It didn't take long.

Even before the team took the field — ushered in with a new introduction that included the return of the "Hawaii Five-0" theme song by the University of Hawai'i band, as well as Rainbow dancers and cheerleaders lined up to greet the Warriors as they raced from the fog-filled inflatable helmet onto the field — many questions were answered.

Joe Dwight, 62, attends every home game and said in previous years the player introductions weren't exciting enough to entice his attention away from his food.

"You would see the smoke and know there's a coin toss, and you keep eating," said Dwight, a stained-glass artist from Kailua. "(Now) it looks like something is going to happen. It's a little more formal."

Dwight acknowledged that this season "won't be last year, but most people are upbeat about what's happening with the athletic department and the coaching changes."

But it was how the team would deliver — which it did with a 36-17 win over Weber State in its home opener — that most fans were anxious about.

Before the game, siblings Helen Murata and Jimmy Kawasaki, with Kawasaki's wife, Sadie, ate hamburgers and sat on the rock wall in front of the stadium entrance.

They have been UH fans since the early '80s and figure they've seen the good (last year's Sugar Bowl appearance), the bad (winless in 1998) and everything in between in the hundreds of games they watched.

All three traveled to Florida for UH's season opener.

"We're optimistic," said Jimmy Kawasaki, 83, of Salt Lake. "I think the team will do good."

He added that it was "surprising," that so many fans turned out, especially because Weber State is a Football Championship Subdivision team.

"There were hardly any parking spaces," he said. "I think one reason is (quarterback Inoke) Funaki. He did good at Florida and people want to see him in person."

Another reason, Murata said, is McMackin.

"This is a new regime," she said. "(McMackin) is outgoing, and he talks to anyone. He's a very down-to-earth person."

Kaeo Deponte, 9, and his friend Justin Taniguchi, 8, threw a football around in the lower parking lot before the game.

Taniguchi, wearing a Colt Brennan autographed Hawai'i jersey, said he was expecting to see "touchdowns" in last night's game and was excited to see Funaki play.

It was the first college football game Deponte attended, although he watched the games on TV last year. "They are good," he said. "They have a new quarterback."

UH students Kent Salcedo, 21, Kyle Nagatori, 21, and Bell Chiragul, 20, were tailgating before the game.

"I think it's going to be a great season because I have faith in them," said Chiragul, an elementary education major.

All three noticed that "Manoa Maniac" student tickets were far harder to obtain this year than in previous years.

"Two sections were already sold out by the first Friday (of school)," Nagatori said. "Last year, it wasn't like that. There's a lot of people here for a I-AA game."

Salcedo said he is a "loyal fan for life," and even a "disheartening" loss at Florida wouldn't keep him from supporting the team.

"I have confidence in (McMackin)," Salcedo said.

UH graduate students Miguel Quintero, Patrick Anderson and Troy Heitmann were also tailgating before the game. They brought along friend Charles Hill, 44, for his first UH game.

"I'm hopeful for a victory," said Hill, who watched the team on TV last year. "I think they are going to have trouble with the offense until they get their quarterback situation straightened out. But the strength of schedule is in their favor and I think they'll have a winning season."

Although the lower parking lot was full, with tents dotting the area, it was a mild mood.

"(At the end of last season) everyone was stoked," Anderson said. "There have been some changes, and I think everyone is a little apprehensive."

No matter what, Quintero said, "I think everyone supports them. The support we have here is wonderful."