I don't think it was the admiration of Sam Boyd as much as his promotions.
Boyd lived in Hawaii for several years and "gambled" at illegal joints.
When he opened The Cal he catered to the Hawaiian market exclusively.
Hawaii doesn't have any legal gambling so he kind of exploited this.

He provided chartered non-stop flights at cheap rates when there were no direct flights from Honolulu to Las Vegas.
You checked in at Honolulu airport, caught a shuttle bus at McCarran and checked in at The Cal.
Your luggage was taken from Honolulu check-in straight to your room in Las Vegas.
If you bought airfare & room, you were provided a coupon book for free meals.
I've stayed at The Cal only once.
I've bought just the airfare many times, I prefer to stay on The Strip.

I've gone to The Cal for reunions and get-togethers.
The amazing thing was I'd run into friends that I never see back in Hawaii!
Most everyone from Hawaii goes to The Cal.
Hawaii people call it the 9th Hawaiian Island.

Non-Hawaii people would ask me, "If you live in Hawaii where do you go for vacation?".
My answer, "Las Vegas, of course!"