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Locals, Tourists Worried Over Possible Pro-Bowl Departure

After Nearly 30 Years, Pro Bowl Could Leave Hawaii

POSTED: 9:43 am HST February 11, 2008
UPDATED: 9:51 am HST February 11, 2008

There was more than football on the minds of many at the Pro Bowl on Sunday.

Hawaii has hosted the Pro Bowl since 1980, but the contract expires next year and the NFL commission has talked of moving the event out of Hawaii.

Tens of thousands of football fans flocked to Aloha Stadium for the game. There are rumors that the NFL commissioner wants to move the Pro Bowl to the same site as the Super Bowl, ending the nearly three-decade run for Hawaii.

"It is good for the state, but I guess the NFL on the mainland -- they want to move it 'round, 'round, 'round," said usher George Kielsel.

For Hawaii folks it is their only chance to see pro football on the islands.

This is a family thing," said Maui resident Don Blackwelder. "My son, nephews -- and every year we come from Maui. We come out (for the game). It would be devastating if they took it away."

Fans from the mainland love to take a break from winter, combining the football game with an island vacation, which pumps a lot of money into the local economy. And local vendors want it to stay that way.

"That would be a huge loss for Hawaii and affect a lot of business here," said Arthur Nakayama of Happy Shirts. "Hopefully, they will renegotiate the contract bring (the game) back here."

Local officials said they are trying to work out a way to have the Pro Bowl come to Hawaii at least every other year.

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