The national champion Hawai'i Pacific University softball team arrived in Honolulu on a United Airlines flight from Denver shortly after 3:15 p.m. today and was greeted by a jubilant crowd of about 150 at Honolulu International Airport.

Included in the welcoming party was HPU president Chatt G. Wright, along with school cheerleaders and the band.

"I'm very proud of the girls, they proved they had what it took to get it done," HPU coach Bryan Nakasone said. "I dont know if all of this has sunk in yet ... maybe in a couple of days we'll realize what we did."

HPU beat Valdosta State, 4-3, in Monday's NCAA Division II title game in St. Joseph, Mo.