NEW ORLEANS — The official state motto of Louisiana may be "Union, justice and confidence," but 15,000 itinerant University of Hawai'i football fans will attest that this bowl-crazed city is following its own, unofficial motto: Laissez les bon temps rouler (Let the good times roll).

And the bon temps will indeed be rolling tonight as venues throughout the city celebrate the New Year with a conspicuous showing of green and white.

Two major parties for UH fans — the Cajun-Warrior New Year's Eve Bash hosted by Don Murphy and Kurt Osaki, and the Warriors Rally and New Year's Eve Celebration hosted by Willie K., Vili "the Warrior" Fehoko, Nalani Choi and Warren Wyatt — kick off tonight within a block of each other in the warehouse district. Smaller parties are also planned at UH-friendly nightspots on Bourbon Street.

Anticipation for New Year's and the big game has steadily intensified over the last few days as plane after weather-delayed plane has deposited party-happy fans into the already festive fray.

More than 3,500 UH fans turned out yesterday morning for a free UH beads giveaway at the team hotel on Canal Street. Free beads, ti leaves and commemorative fans will be passed out at the hotel today starting at 10 a.m.

About 4,000 attended the Allstate Fan Fest, featuring Fehoko and the UH band, at the downtown parking lot next to the Jax Brewery.

"This is impressive, surreal," said 23-year-old Hawai'i Kai resident Kalani Puu of the Fan Fest. "Everyone is here. We're well-represented."

HUGE TURNOUT

UH assistant coach Rich Miano said he wasn't surprised at the spirit displayed by Warrior fans, but by the sheer number who paid their way to New Orleans.

"We thought the turnout would be high if we played in Phoenix or Pasadena, which are easier for Hawai'i folks to get to," Miano said. "But it's an amazing thing how many people have come all this way, to a city most have never been to.

"It's just great walking down the street seeing all the UH T-shirts in the stores and seeing all these people walking down the street wearing green. I don't think you could have a better experience," Miano said.

Immediately following the Fan Fest, the UH Foundation and Koa Anuenue sponsored their own power rally, hosted by UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw, who proudly declared that the program had moved "from sugar cane to the Sugar Bowl —and how sweet it is!"

The UH band and cheerleading squad received a rousing response from a high-powered room that included the likes of UH President David McClain; U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono; Gov. Linda Lingle adviser Lenny Klompus and his wife, Marcia; former UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida; HMSA President and CEO Bob Hiam; and scores of other friends of the program.

"It's Warrior Fever," said Hirono, who wore a Warriors baseball cap with flashing "H," homemade Warrior earrings given to her by fellow fans, and a matching green and black outfit. "The sense of team pride has really drawn our community together," she said.

The parties kick into high gear today as Warrior fans join the rest of the city in ringing in the New Year.

SOLD OUT BASH

The Cajun-Warrior Bash gets under way at 7 p.m. at Generations Hall (310 Andrew Higgins Drive). Tickets have long since sold out, but Murphy said organizers may decide to open the doors and allow more people if the weather is nice. About 4,000 UH fans, including Lingle and Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, plus UH head coach June Jones, are expected to attend.

Live entertainment will include performances by Kapono, the UH band and cheerleaders, and a local zydeco band.

"It didn't seem like anybody was doing anything, and Kurt (Osaki) and I decided something had to be done," Murphy said. "We couldn't have all of these Hawai'i fans spread out all over town."

The hall seats 25,000, with three large banquet rooms and a classic New Orleans courtyard.

"They're closing the street so it'll be just like a big block party at home," Murphy said.

"It's a delight that our fans have somewhere to go on New Year's Eve rather than standing on Bourbon Street getting beads thrown at them."

The Warriors Rally, which runs from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., will be held nearby at the Sugar Mill (1021 Convention Center Blvd.). Entertainment includes performances by Willie K., Fehoko, Choi (from the group Na Leo Pilimehana) and comedian Augie Tulba.

Free T-shirts will be given to the first 1,000 guests, with beads, souvenir footballs and other items also on hand for giveaways.

"It's going to be a lot of chaos," Tulba promised. "When I see Vili, I goin' tackle him and I goin' punch him!"

Like Murphy, Wyatt and the other Warriors Rally organizers wanted to ensure that UH fans had a safe and festive place to celebrate the New Year. The two groups considered joining forces but decided to stage separate but mutually supportive parties.

Tickets for the Warriors Rally are $49 until 7 tonight, and $59 at the door. However, Wyatt said, "bounce-back" tickets will also be available for people attending the Cajun-Warrior Bash who want to stop by. (Tickets can be purchased online at www.warriorsrally.com, at the Hotel New Orleans lobby, or by calling 808-262-6300.)

"Man, I'm so excited to see all the local people who came here to support the team," Fehoko said. "This is going to be awesome."

For UH fans who want a balcony view of the madness on Bourbon Street, the Hintzeman family's Ohana 100 group has "made house" at the Karaoke Saloon, owned by a former Hawai'i resident. The weeklong party continues tonight with an open invitation to all Warrior faithful.

Hundreds of UH fans have also found their way to a venerable New Orleans institution, Johnny White's on Bourbon Street, which is owned by former Hawai'i resident and UH alumnus Lynn Sapir and his wife, Jeaneen. Tomorrow, the Sapirs will host a pre-Sugar Bowl tailgate party at the restaurant. A $20 cover buys access to a New Orleans buffet and the chance to rub elbows with Hannemann (who played football with Sapir at 'Iolani), Nalo Farms owner Dean Okimoto, restaurateur Roy Yamaguchi and scores of other rabid UH fans.

"I look forward to the Sugar Bowl every year, but usually we try to be neutral because we want both sides to come in," Sapir said. "But since Hawai'i is here this year, I had to support them — and it's worked out really well for us."

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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