Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/770136
THE "PARADISE OF THE PACIFIC" GIVES YOUR MEETING TOP LEVEL HOSPITALITY ALONG WITH AN EXOTIC AMBIANCE BY CYNTHIA MOLUSK It's difficult to name a more naturally inspiring destination than Hawaii to hold a meeting or convention. Survey data con- firms that attendees leave Hawaii feeling refreshed, invigorated and completely at ease. It's a setting that fosters the flow of ideas, inspires ingenuity and innovation, and nurtures stronger working relation- ships and better teamwork. These islands have everything to make gatherings of all sizes special, including the crown jewel of Hawaii's meetings' infrastructure – the 1.1-million-sq. ft. Hawaii Convention Center. The Hawaii Convention Center is an event destination like none other — a stunning marriage of form and function, open to sky and sun between the shade of terraces and lanais, graced with court- yards, waterfalls and fishponds to create a meetings and convention backdrop that is at once tranquil and invigorating. The venue fronts Kalakaua Avenue, the boulevard anchoring Honolulu's shop- ping, dining and entertainment scene. It's adjacent to Waikiki, Oahu's iconic resort area with 30,000 hotel rooms and a divine, crescent-shaped beach. In the other direction is the capital city's down- town area and some of Hawaii's top attractions. Honolulu International Airport is a mere eight-mile drive. The HCC measures up! Its 1.1 million sq. ft. of meeting space can accommo- date events for up of more than 13,000 people. There are 47 meeting rooms, a 200,000-sq. ft. exhibit hall, two tiered- seating theaters, a 35,000-sq. ft. ball- room and a registration lobby of the same size. It's Hawaii at heart — in style and with service that's shaped by the spirit of aloha. The open-air design invites gentle sea breezes, sprawling panes of glass invite an abundance of light, and atten- dees can meet and mix in public spaces ornamented with works by several local artists and landscaping that includes gently flowing waterfalls and mesmeriz- ing fishponds. When it's time for F&B, the facility's 20,000-sq. ft. production kitchen incor- porates Hawaiian traditions into dishes and sources farm-fresh ingredients for meals guaranteed to delight your guests with island flavors and flair. There are three new exhibits in Hawaii conference attendees are encouraged to explore while on the beautiful islands. The first is K H 'alu: Honoring The Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Tradition. This exhibit was presented earlier this year at The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles as part of Mele Mei, a month-long celebration of Hawai'i's music, hula and culture. The GRAMMY Museum, in partnership with the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts and Outrigger Enterprises Group, presented the exhibit exploring one of the world's greatest acoustic guitar traditions. The next exhibit is Ma Kai – To the Sea – Seaward. This is a visual display of the importance of the Hawaiian sport of surf- ing, which has introduced the Hawaiian culture and Aloha spirit to the world. From Waik k , M kaha and the North Shore, Hawaiian surfers brought their surfboards, culture and lifestyle to the coast of California and in doing so, often this became the first interaction between a Hawaiian and someone from the conti- nent. The third exhibit is 'Ahu'ula o Kek haupi'o and it honors one the most influential and probably least known chiefs in Hawaiian history. Kek haupi'o was said to be a master of Hawaiian mar- tial arts, first serving as Kamehameha the Great's combat instructor before becom- ing his loyal bodyguard, fearless warrior, and trusted advisor. In honor of Kek haupi'o's role in Hawaiian history, the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative commissioned master feather worker Rick San Nicolas in 2016 to create a repli- ca of the cloak and helmet worn by the chief. In ancient times, feather cloaks and capes were symbols of power and social standing in Hawaiian culture. The islands of Hawaii are serviced by Kahului Airport, Maui, Kona Airport, Hawaii Island and Lihue Airport, Kauai. B M & T ••• July/August 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 38 AREA GUIDES • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa 830 Halekulani 453 Embassy Suites By Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk 369 EXHIBITION FACILITIES The Hawaii Convention Complex Total Exhibit Space 200,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 47 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Hawaii VCB (808) 923-1811 H AWA I I View of Diamondhead and the city of HonoluluHawaii Photo Credit: Eric Broder Van Dyke