After 8 hours in the air, the University of Hawaii football team received a warm welcome in New Orleans.

The Warriors were greeted by a jazz band and Mardi Gras celebration as the they got off the plane.

Team members and their families, about 250 in all, flew in.

It took 6 buses to transport the group to the hotel.

And as coach June Jones puts it, it's a very exciting time for the Warrior program.

"This is what the big time's like. I've been trying to tell them what it's like coming up here to New Orleans. One of the greatest cities in the world and I've had some great memories here and it's going to be a lot of fun," said coach June Jones.

After a needed rest Wednesday, the team will start practicing Thursday.

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