Ask Mr. Sun:

What does the neon ‘DST’ sign mean at the top of the California?

Tuesday, June 2, 2009 | 2 a.m.

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Mr. Sun,

Driving by downtown on U.S. 95 recently, I noticed a flashing neon sign at the top of the California. It says “at the Cal,” and alternately flashes “eat,” “park” and “DST.” I know what eating and parking are, but what is DSTing?

•••

The California uses DST as shorthand for daily slot tournament.

If the acronym doesn’t immediately translate in the minds of some Las Vegas gamblers, it’s because locals aren’t the casino’s target audience, according to company executives. The casino’s customers — many of whom are from Hawaii — get it.

“The Hawaiian customer is familiar with DST as daily slot tournament,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, director of marketing for Boyd Gaming in downtown Las Vegas. “The tournaments are, of course, open to anyone, but people from the state of Hawaii — those folks and locals who are Hawaiians — they recognize it.”

Indeed, Boyd Gaming, which owns the California, has long cultivated the Hawaiian market with package deals and charter flights. (Fitzgerald claims the California sells more oxtail soup, an island favorite, than any other Las Vegas casino.)

Mr. Sun called the Las Vegas Hawaiian Civic Club to check the company’s claim that Hawaiians here and there understand their DST acronym.

A vice president of the organization answered.

“I’m not familiar with that abbreviation,” he said.

Questions for Mr. Sun can be sent to page8@lasvegassun.com.

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By par

June 7, 2009

11:25 p.m.

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I live in Hawaii, and have spent many a time at the "cal" and I, like the VP of the Las Vegas Hawaiian Civic Club. "I'm not familiar with that abbreviation"

Maybe it means Dumb Stupid Thought !!!!!