When Honolulu's Craig Nakamura was notified that he won the Pigskin Picks weekly prize of a trip for two to Las Vegas and $500, he was shopping ... in Las Vegas.

"When you run out of money gambling, you to have to go shopping," said Nakamura, who is scheduled to return tonight after spending about five days in Las Vegas. "I'm here (in Las Vegas) with my wife shopping."

Nakamura said his son called from home, but "I didn't believe him," because there are so many Craig Nakamuras in Hawai'i. He started to believe after being notified by voicemail and e-mail from The Advertiser.

Nakamura, 49, a Damien grad who is in the commercial real estate business, earned a return trip by correctly picking the winners of 14 of 15 games. His only loss was picking Tampa Bay over Oakland. However, he did pick such tough picks as Minnesota over the New York Giants, Houston over Chicago, Miami over the New York Jets and Philadelphia over Dallas.

Picking upsets, "that's the only way you can win," he said. He did, however, put some thought in it, figuring some teams that already clinched a playoff spot (Giants) would rest players (they did).

Nakamura said winning this makes up for Hawai'i losing to Notre Dame in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl.

"We were so disappointed, but this is a good ending."