When Angela Kaleonani Hitzeman passed away in June, the University of Hawai'i football team lost one of its most ardent and devoted fans.

But Hitzeman will still have a considerable presence at Tuesday's Sugar Bowl when 100 of her closest friends and family gather at the game to celebrate the finest season in UH history and, by extension, honor the memory of a true Warrior faithful.

The self-proclaimed 'Ohana 100 will join about 15,000 UH fans from Hawai'i and around the country in the stands to support the Warriors in their historic clash with Southeastern Conference powerhouse Georgia. The fans began arriving en masse just after Christmas and have helped to change the complexion of the storied city with their conspicuous green-and-white presence.

Brett Hitzeman, Anglela's son, arrived here yesterday, and by mid-afternoon was hard at work preparing for a week of festivities.

Hitzeman, his father and aunt were among the first in line when Sugar Bowl tickets were made available. They bought 100 tickets and reserved 14 suites at a downtown hotel, then put the call out to friends and family around the country to come join them.

"Most of us are flying in from Hawai'i, but we also have people driving in from Colorado and Dallas and flying in from Ohio," Hitzeman said. "My mom was a huge UH fan and this is what she would have wanted — for all of us to come to the game together."

Hitzeman saved one ticket for his mother. He plans on placing her picture on the seat during the game.

Hitzeman's group will occupy six rows in the Superdome. They'll arrive wearing customized shirts and waving banners that Hitzeman designed.

In the days leading up to the game, they'll also have their own private club at which to soak in the sights of bustling Bourbon Street.

While searching for a suitable party venue for his group, Hitzeman made contact with Dean Groover, who had spent part of his childhood in the Islands. Groover offered his Karaoke Saloon at 516 Bourbon St. as a gathering place for 'Ohana 100 — and any other UH fan who wants to stop by.

The group is also taking up a collection to create a fund in Angela's name. Donations will be used to support Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

REUNION IN THE STREETS

For many Hawai'i fans, the streets of New Orleans have become an unexpected reunion ground. On Canal Street, just a block from the team hotel, former UH cornerback and safety Chris Teves ran into former UH quarterback Michael Beazley.

Teves had already planned to catch the hometown Saints play the Philadelphia Eagles (he attends one NFL game every year), but when he found out that the Warriors would be playing in the Sugar Bowl, he extended his trip one more week.

"I was stoked," he said. "I had no doubt I'd be there.

"For me to see this team do well is really exciting," added Teves, who drew appreciative stares as he stood on Canal wearing a No. 15 Colt Brennan jersey and UH baseball cap. "They're good but they're not hot dogs. They're very humble. This is a good-character team."

Eric Kuniyoshi and his son James booked flights on Expedia as soon as they heard that UH had been accepted to the Sugar Bowl. However, when they went to the box office to get their tickets, they found themselves out of luck and on a waiting list.

"At that point, we were kind of panicking because we had our flights but no game tickets," Kuniyoshi said.

By the time their names were called four days later, they had already secured a pair of reasonably priced tickets via Craigslist, so they sold the other tickets.

SUPPORTING CLASSMATES

James Kuniyoshi, who roamed the streets dressed head to toe in Warrior gear yesterday, is especially excited to see the team play next week. This semester, he was classmates with wide receiver Michael Washington and reserve quarterback Tyler Graunke. He's also been in classes with linebacker Timo Paepule and defensive lineman Michael Lafaele.

Based on what he's seen this season, Kuniyoshi acknowledges his major couldn't be more appropriate: history.

Carolyn Kuba, chair of the University of Hawai'i dental hygiene department, decided early in the season that if the Warriors were to make it to a bowl game, she and her family would go. They were thrilled when they found out the Warriors would be heading to New Orleans.

"We're just planning to have a great time," she said. "We're looking forward to meeting other fans. I understand that there are quite a few from across the nation coming in. What I like is that the people here in New Orleans are all rooting for Hawai'i."

THE BESS ENCOUNTER

Debbi and Lonnie Mahi of Waipi'o also had their minds set on following the Warriors wherever they had ended up in the postseason.

Fans for 20 years and members of the Na Koa Football Club, the Mahis are as fervent as any in their love for the team. Still, even they weren't quite prepared when wide receiver Davone Bess and his family happened by their tailgate party after the Boise State game last month.

"They asked us if we had water and they ended up sitting and having chuk (rice porridge) with us," Debbi Mahi said. "We didn't realize who they were until my husband asked them if they were from Boise. They were so offended!"

Before they left, Debbi snapped a picture of Bess and her daughter Auli'i, 15. Yesterday, the Mahis spent more than an hour waiting outside the team hotel hoping to catch Bess returning from practice so he could sign it.

Though they didn't get the autograph, the Mahis still cherish the encounter.

"We don't have anybody on the team ourselves, but it's thrilling to feel like a part of all the excitement," Mahi said.

UH alumna Gerry Wong flew in from Richfield Springs, N.Y., to cheer on the team she's supported for more than 30 years. Her son, Brian, is an assistant trainer with the team.

"This is a historic moment," she said. "These guys have played so beautifully this whole year. It's been inspirational. I came to see them beat Georgia. I wouldn't miss this for anything."

Wong said she and her husband stay up to watch every televised Warrior game — "and we tape it so we can watch it again the next day."

NO MEN, NO WORRIES

Cynthia Rillamas of Waipi'o Gentry and Debbie Nakamura of Mililani, co-workers at Finance Factors, were hoping to make the trip with their significant others but Rillamas' boyfriend and Nakamura's husband weren't able to get away.

"They didn't want us to miss it just because they couldn't make it," Nakamura said. "My husband said if you can find someone to go with, you'd better go."

Since arriving Wednesday, the pair have done enough for four people. They've visited the Imax theater and the aquarium and have plans to take a swamp tour, visit the zoo, take in a New Orleans Hornets NBA game and, of course, join their Warrior brethren at the Hawaiian Cajun Bash sponsored by the Na Koa Football Club.

What else?

"Spend money, spend money, spend money!" Rillamas said.

Adrian Chang and Janelle Miura of Nu'uanu arrived Wednesday after a four-hour delay in Denver. Like other Warrior fans, they're cautiously optimistic that the team can defy the odds and pull out a win over the fourth-ranked Bulldogs.

"I think there will be a little bit of nervousness in the beginning because it's such a big national game, but just like the other games they have the potential of settling down and getting the offense in rhythm," Chang said. "I think that will give Hawai'i a chance to win."

"And the fans that are behind them!" Miura added. "Being an alumni it's nice to see them being really successful especially when you were there through the losing seasons being true loyal fans no matter what."

Chang said he has mixed feelings about the Warriors' final game of the season.

"It seems like the games determine your mood for the remaining week," he said. "It's been wins all year, so you don't want the success to end. But this is the end of the season right here. We have to rely on basketball after this."

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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