One February night in the late 1980s, liquor salesman Keoni Kaaikala sat alone on a bus-stop bench across the street from the Ilikai Hotel, writing up orders.

A couple of guys eating pizza out of a box walked up and asked if they could join him. Kaaikala nodded without looking. When he finally did glance up, the lifelong 49ers fan from Waianae realized his two new friends were Joe Montana and Roger Craig.

“We talked about different things, about how much they love the women and the beach,” Kaaikala recalls.

Kaaikala remembers other random, friendly encounters around Pro Bowl time with players like Earl Campbell and Ted Hendricks. So do many other longtime Hawaii residents; some share them on my blog today.

Some friendly NFL stars still let their guard down here after a long season. But, in recent years, the relationship between players and locals hasn’t been as cordial as it once was. We’ve been more likely to hear stories about players threatening bartenders and hotel front-desk workers or getting conked on the head by a champagne bottle than of hang-loose, talk-story sessions with strangers.

“They were cool. And so open,” Kaaikala says. “Now they are all protected.”

It works both ways, as fans — even here — are more aggressive and obtrusive. It used to be that all kamaaina followed the common-courtesy and common-sense rules of engagement with celebrities: If you see them in public with family or friends, leave them alone until an obviously polite time to approach. If that time doesn’t come, too bad.

Now, many fans project a sense of entitlement. And some seem to be competing for the most pictures with stars.

Used to be the players could identify paparazzi. Now, everyone has a phone with a camera on it, and that’s part of why a wall has developed. Even in Hawaii. Even during Pro Bowl time.

Did it contribute to the NFL leaving (perhaps permanently) after Hawaii hosted all but two Pro Bowls since 1980?

Perhaps.

Other signs of disconnect over the years include:

>> Prior to this year’s game, many Hawaii residents were unhappy with a legal exception allowing alcohol to be served at a VIP and sponsors only event at Waikiki Beach.

>> The Pro Bowl Ohana Committee served as liaison between the NFL and the state. This included coordinating former NFL player Nat Moore’s foundation taking players and cheerleaders to neighbor-island school events and clinics.

Moore’s foundation was replaced by the league’s “Play 60” concept of engaging with young fans. This year there were unprecedented complaints of player no-shows at scheduled events. The Ohana Committee has been dormant for years.

>> In 2004, NFL special events VP Jim Steeg — in charge of the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl — left that job. Steeg had worked with local leaders like Mufi Hannemann and Mike McCartney in branding Honolulu as the NFL’s 33rd franchise city, going as far as granting Nanakuli a Youth Education Town Center (which were previously only in markets with NFL teams).

It’s been a long time since I’ve heard anyone call Honolulu the NFL’s 33rd city.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at Hawaiiwarriorworld.com/quick-reads.