About three hours before kick-off more than a dozen tents could be easily spotted throughout the Aloha Stadium parking lot.
"I expected not that many people cause everyone wants to see your home team play right? But again it's Southern Miss they're the Champs of the USA conference Nevada's the WAC, should be a good game," says Avory Abordonado, UH fan.
"Right now it's kind of empty, but I'm just happy to be seeing a football game on Christmas Eve," says Robert Hopp, Pittsburgh resident.
"Yeah, I was pretty shocked I figured if we came a little later than we wanted to, it would be tough to find a spot but it wasn't hard at all but you can definitely tell that the local sports are not here this year," says Gary Bonham, Nevada fan.
Today's turnout is a big difference compared to last year's Sheraton Hawaii bowl game....when Hawaii was playing Tulsa.
Sheraton officials say about 32,300 tickets were issued for this year's game.
That's nearly 13,000 less than last year.
"Yeah, it would've been nice to be at a local game absolutely," says Bart Heirich, U.S. Marine.
"More would be better," says Tina Brown, UH fan.
"We got good parking and we got good seats and we're ready to work," says Pete Kahoonei, UH fan.
And, because there weren't many tailgating, there was more room for fans to set up tables and chairs.
"They were very nice and told us this is the walkway if it gets crowded, we didn't know the rule but they kindly told us and it makes good sense" says Heidrich.
Even though Hawaii wasn't in the bowl game, some were excited about one team playing.
Nevada hasn't had much success against Hawaii over here so I'm kinda glad it's not Hawaii we kind of have a chance now," says Bonham.
"Nevada, because my daughter's name is Nevada so I will be going for Nevada today," says Kahi Fernandez, Kaneohe resident.
"I'm going to go Nevada...vs: why? closer to my home state I guess," says Heidrich.
Even though fewer game tickets were issued this year, Sheraton officials are confident the exposure of Hawaii on national television will have a positive impact on the economy.
