Waipahu's Ralph Okada can credit his perseverance — as well as KSSK's Michael W. Perry's — for being named the Pigskin Picks Week 4 winner.

Okada, who has continued to play even after his good friend stopped, hung up on Perry when the radio station personality called to announce that he had won the top weekly prize of two tickets to Las Vegas and $500.

"At first, I thought it was a telemarketer so I hung up," he said. "I was half asleep (at 5:45 a.m.). The second time, I recognized that voice.

"I didn't think I'd win anything. I never did win," said the 69-year-old retired engineer who worked for the Department of Defense.

Okada says winning is "all luck. (You) gotta pick upsets. If you only pick the favorites, you're not going to win."

Some of Okada's upsets included Michigan over Penn State ("Penn State is nothing, just like Notre Dame."), Green Bay over San Diego, and the New York Giants over Washington.

Okada said he got two extra ballots from his friend, James.

"He gave up so (he said) you do it," Okada said. "(I kept playing) just for fun. It doesn't cost me anything."

Now, he plans to return the favor in a generous way.

"I guess I'll give (a ticket) to a friend (James)," he said.