DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Millie and Mel Toyofuku were all smiles yesterday at Tropic Fish & Vegetable Center at Farmer's Market at Ward Center. They picked up poke and dried fish for Mel's Super Bowl party in Gardena, Calif., today. They took a late flight home last night. Millie said they changed their flight plans so Mel could buy fresh poke and make it to their Super Bowl party.

Super Bowl good excuse
to party local style

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By Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.com

Mikey Tanaka, appointed beer runner for his cousin's super Super Bowl party, loaded 20 cases of 20 12-ounce bottles of Bud Light onto his cart at Costco Iwilei yesterday.

He had already picked up 30 pounds of chicken wings and 24 pounds of fries, and just needed five 24-bottle cases of Heineken to round out the menu for about 75 guests.

"Everyone's chipping in," Tanaka said. "I'm not going to buy all this myself."

Hawaii football fans were busy yesterday prepping for the biggest game and some of the best parties of the year.

While beer is essential, nothing says Super Bowl party like a big screen TV.

Lyle Kelso spent $1,599.99 on a new 55-inch high-definition TV for his newly rebuilt Moanalua Valley house he shares with his parents, just in time to view the big game.

Meanwhile, Shane Cobb-Adams and his brother Erin carefully examined televisions at Costco Iwilei yesterday.

Were they having a Super Bowl party?

"We might if we have a big TV!" Shane said, his eyebrows shooting up.

But prices were a bit steep for the two University of Hawaii students. Although Shane worked, Erin said he would contribute by setting it up.

In the past few days, Circuit City salesperson Tiffany Romano sold three big screens ranging from 53 to 65 inches.

"We're happy because it hasn't been this busy since Christmas," she said. "But we don't have any more openings for deliveries.

"People who come in at the last minute are getting disappointed. A lot of people are dialing their cell phones and asking, 'Can we borrow your truck?' They're stressing out."

For lots of Hawaii residents and former residents, a Super Bowl party must-have is raw fish.

Maui-born Mel Toyofuku was at the Farmer's Market yesterday buying nine pounds of ahi and tako poke and 10 pounds of dried aku and ahi to take back to Gardena, Calif., last night for his Super Bowl party today.

"Get lot of local guys been there (California) for over 40 years," he said. "My son-in-laws kotonks, they say they like the Hawaii one. Good taste, eh. No more the kukui nut kind, (fresh) seaweed over there."

Blossom Tong and her husband were spending about $150 on fish and other items to bring to a party n Kaneohe.

For Tong, it's not so much about the food or the football. "It's about camaraderie, everybody getting together," she said. "Any excuse for a party."