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Thursday, December 13, 2001



Makiki man
wins $2.5 million

He hits the progressive slots jackpot
during a trip to Las Vegas


By Rod Antone
rantone@starbulletin.com

Makiki resident David T. Tokunaga did not go out and splurge on a fancy dinner, even after winning $2.5 million yesterday at the California Hotel.

Instead, the 43-year-old electrician and his mother, 65-year-old Tamayo Tokunaga, went to eat a complimentary dinner at the hotel's Pasta Pirate restaurant.

His meal? Spaghetti and meatballs.

"He was very shy," said Pasta Pirate maitre d' Kawika Willingham, also a Kamehameha Schools graduate. "He didn't want anyone to take any pictures or anything.

"He's probably in shock, but he still came in with a grin from ear to ear."

Tokunaga, who agreed that he was probably still in shock, said he had never played the Wheel of Fortune slot game until yesterday afternoon, when he "just decided to play."

An hour and $100 later, at 12:09 p.m. Las Vegas time, Tokunaga hit it big.

"I didn't know what was happening," said Tokunaga. "I thought maybe I won $1,000 or something, then someone told me that I won the big one, and I said, 'Nah, can't be.'

"Then the slot manager told me I won the progressive ... so I cashed out."

Boyd gaming representative Dave Brendmoen said Tokunaga was awarded a check of about $120,000 before taxes, the first of many that he will receive over the next 20 years. Tokunaga said he did not know what he would do with the money besides "put some away."

Tokunaga's mother said if anyone deserves the money, it is her son, who has been her Las Vegas traveling companion since her husband, Daniel, died almost two years ago.

"I need to get away because my husband died around this time, Dec. 17," said Tamayo, who had steak and lobster for dinner. "After that, David takes me to Vegas whenever I want to go.

"He's been good to me. ... He deserves it."



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