Thousands of kids and their parents in town for a prestigious national soccer meet is a bright spot for Hawaii tourism in an otherwise gloomy downturn.

The AYSO National Games bring about a $10 million score the economy, and a wave of about 5,000 tourists that might not have come here if not for the event.

And they’re ready to spend when Hawaii needs it most.

"We might go to the water park this afternoon,” says Kaitlin Karlin, 14, a player from Chicago. “We're parasailing, we're jet skiing. We did everything."

"They love Chinatown,” said Kaitlin’s dad Lee Karlin. “I'm sure they will do some shopping."

The visiting families say they spent around $2,000 per person on a trip many say they wouldn't have made if not for the games.

"If it hadn't been such a unique opportunity getting into the tournament, I don't think people would have taken a major vacation this year,” Lee Karlin said, “because there are a lot of folks who are worried about the economy and their jobs."

"Things are tough,” said Gus Garibay, traveling from California as a chaperone for his son’s team. “Our economy is not that great, so gas prices are up, everything is up, so we've got to rally plan to have a vacation with the family."

"Most of my friends probably would have stayed closer to home,” Kaitlin Karlin said. “Probably would have driven, not taken planes, and probably would have gone to the closer states."

Teams with kids ages 11 thru 19 found creative ways to afford it.

"We sold glowsticks at 4th of July fireworks and we sold pumpkins at Halloween," said Jenny O’Shea of Chicago.

"I worked Monday through Friday,” said Conor Tosh of California, “so I saved up, threw it on the table and I went to Hawaii."

In addition to sports stardom some players got a shot at Kelloggs cereal commercial fame that will also showcase Hawaii online.

Despite the big cost for airfare and lodging, the players and family are still spending and helping the island economy, and it might just turn into a repeat visit for some.

"Now I'm going to bring my whole family, too,” Garibay said. “I've got to bring my wife and my other daughter."

The event runs through Sunday at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex. It features 181 teams from across the country and Hawaii.

For more information on the event click here.