|
Hawaii No
Ka Oi
A Look Back at the UofH's Sugar Bowl Experience
Hawaii takes
the field while Luau Larry hangs loose at a Hawiian-owned Bourbon Street
bar.
By PubClub
Correspondent 'Luau' Larry
Sitting at the 2008 Sugar Bowl in the
New Orleans Superdome, watching the final seconds tick off the clock,
I couldn't help but be proud to be an alum of the University of Hawaii.
While the Cinderella season was coming to an end – a wave-crashing
end – the stands were still full of Hawaii fans. We were overmatched
and outplayed (beaten 41-10 by the Georgia Bulldogs) but we didn't care.
We were in the biggest game in Hawaii's football history, had a Top
10 ranking (before the bowl) and were in a BCS game.
The game didn't provide much to cheer about but in the end that didn't
matter.
While we would have preferred a better result, we were still proud
of our team and school.
Some 25,000 fans made the 4,000-mile trip from the islands to New Orleans.
The entire state backed the Warriors.
Everywhere I went in the French Quarter I saw Hawaiians, all wearing
some kind of Hawaii gear. The fans came to spend $$ and they did spend
$$. By the day after the game, all the shops were sold out of Hawaii
shirts and hats. Many merchants expressed their happiness at having
Hawaii fans in New Orleans and amazement that so many made the long
trip.
 There
was even a meeting place of sorts for the Hawaiian ohana,
Johnny White's on Bourbon Street. It's owned by a local
boy, Lynn. At any given time, there were always some Hawaii fans at
Johnny White's. I should know, for I was there every day and every night!
Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann was a popular patron and I hung with my
college roommate, Howard Dash, as well as PubClub.com's
party columnist, The Bartender.
Hawaiians also turned out to pack the Sugar Bowl FanFest on Sunday
two days before the game. People stood in line to get their picture
taken with the Sugar Bowl trophy (myself included!) and were treated
to a free concert by Eddie Money.
Longtime Hawaiians may remember when Eddie played in Honolulu in the
late '70s. I actually met him back then and mentioned it to him this
year. But what happened during his Hawaii visit is a story for another
day!
The UH cheerleaders
brought cheers to hundreds of Hawaiians at FanFest.
Game day began with a visit to Johnny White's, but by this time, Georgia
fans had started to dominate elsewhere on Bourbon Street. We enjoyed
the 3-for-1 local beers – it's Happy Hour every day on Bourbon
Street from 4-9! - then walked to the Superdome for the game.
An Eddie Money concert brought back Honolulu memories for Luau Larry.
Honolulu Mayor Mufi
Hannemann was among Johnny White's patrons.
Frankly, I was expecting Colt Brennan to light up the Georgia defense
but when we began the game by going backward 10 yards on two procedure
penalties, it seemed my hopes would not turn into reality. Still, Hawaii
fans were cherishing every moment of being in a big-time college football
atmosphere and stayed even after many Georgia fans had cleared out of
their seats.
Back in the Quarter, Warrior fans continued to enjoy New Orleans and
spend money.
I can say I was honored to be a part of history. Despite the disappointing
game result, no one can take this away from us. This wasn't just for
the University but all of Hawaii. One big ohana.
Hawaii No Ka Oi.
Who IS "Luau" Larry? Read
about him in this PubClub.com article!
Luau Larry with the Sugar Bowl trophy and friends in a Bourbon Street
bar.
Luau Larry gets a drink at a street-side beer stand in the French Quarter.
After the game, Luau hangs at the
Mayfair, a big New Orleans Mardi Gras party spot.
 See
Our Honolulu Bar Guide!
.
|