Fans of University of Hawaii football gathered in droves on December 27, 2023, to celebrate kicker Kansei Matsuzawa at a free autograph session hosted by HiLife in Kakaako. The event attracted hundreds of supporters eager to express their gratitude for Matsuzawa’s remarkable season, which concluded with a thrilling 35-31 victory over California in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve.
The line of fans began forming at 7:30 a.m., three and a half hours before the store opened. HiLife founder Kyle Shimabukuro expressed his surprise at the turnout, stating, “We’re super stoked. After they won the bowl game, we knew it might be nuts.” Despite the rain that morning, the overwhelming response indicated how much Matsuzawa’s achievements resonated with the community.
Many fans took the opportunity to present Matsuzawa with personal gifts. Mika Watabayashi, who waited for approximately 90 minutes, gifted him two hand-drawn pictures. Longtime supporter Shelley Okubo, a season-ticket holder for multiple University of Hawaii sports, presented Matsuzawa with a green medallion from the Warriors’ participation in the 2008 Sugar Bowl. Matsuzawa’s family, including his mother and girlfriend, were also present, witnessing the affection shown by fans.
Matsuzawa, a self-taught kicker from Chiba, Japan, earned the nickname “Tokyo Toe” after successfully converting his first 25 field-goal attempts of the season, a feat that tied an NCAA record. Although he missed a 30-yard attempt during the regular-season finale, he rebounded by making two out of three attempts at the Hawaii Bowl, helping the Warriors overcome a daunting 21-0 deficit.
His outstanding performance earned him a place on five All-America lists, making him the first consensus All-American in University of Hawaii football history, as recognized by the Walter Camp Foundation, the Associated Press, and the American Football Coaches Association.
In addition to his athletic achievements, Matsuzawa has ventured into business with local entrepreneur Mike Kawazoe, co-owning the trademark for “Tokyo Toe.” Through HiLife, he has contributed to merchandise designs that include shirts and hats under the “Tokyo Toe” brand, from which he receives royalties. Notably, Matsuzawa did not receive payment for his appearance at the autograph session.
Following Matsuzawa’s event, former University of Hawaii pitcher Itsuki Takemoto held his own autograph session. Takemoto, drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 19th round of the 2025 Major League Baseball draft, is set to report to the team’s training facility in Arizona in February. He noted that his pitching velocity has reached 96 mph.
The enthusiastic response to both Matsuzawa and Takemoto reflects a deep connection between local athletes and the community, highlighting the pride and support that fans have for their teams.
