Author Archives: HCC Editorial Team

Tickets Now on Sale for ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas

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Tickets are now on sale for ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas, a first-of-its-kind immersive holiday adventure in Hawai‘i hosted in partnership with Paquin Entertainment Group at the Hawai‘i Convention Center from Nov. 22–Dec. 31, 2024. Tickets can be purchased at alohaimmersive.com, and guests are encouraged to reserve their preferred dates and times early as tickets are limited throughout the run and sellouts will occur.

Stroll through a wonderland of light full of holiday music, delicious treats, and heartwarming moments. Whether you’re looking to create cherished memories with family and friends or simply soak in the holiday magic, ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas offers an unforgettable experience for all ages.

Tickets start at $26.99 for Adults and $14.99 for Children. Additional discounts are available for seniors, military members, and groups, and for an extra-magical holiday experience, a limited number of VIP Packages will be available. Tickets are for reserved entry every half hour, 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

“The Hawai‘i Convention Center is pleased to expand its signature events to include ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas, which provides a fresh new way for families and friends in Hawai‘i to connect and celebrate the holiday season together,” said Teri Orton, General Manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center.

“Paquin Entertainment is beyond thrilled to bring the magic of holidays to Honolulu in this brand-new experience that transforms the ordinary into an extraordinary holiday adventure,” added Justin Paquin, President of Exhibitions and Theatrical at Paquin Entertainment. “There is no better place to do it than at the Hawai’i Convention Center, and we can’t wait to share this captivating experience with both locals and visitors alike.”

Guests will embark on a journey through a whimsical Christmas wonderland where every corner is a testament to the joy and magic of the season; each path leads deeper into a magical realm where holiday cheer sparkles. Take part in a snowball fight, make a special Christmas wish, or relax with a festive beverage while watching the show in the kalaidaSCAPE immersive room. There will be endless opportunities for photos with loved ones against enchanting backdrops, whimsical light sculptures, and festive scenes that are straight out of a holiday storybook. 

For Groups, Private Events, or special requests, please reach out to hello@alohaimmersive.com for assistance. 

Hawai‘i Convention Center Introduces New Pickleball Courts, Inaugural Indoor Pickleball Game

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The Hawai‘i Convention Center is kicking off its newest sports courts program with its inaugural indoor pickleball games from Nov. 1-3, 2024.

The Aloha Pickleball Games & Festival, organized by Pop Up Pickleball, a division of the California-based sports event management firm Pickleball Management Group, will be hosting an amateur pickleball event for players of all ages and skill levels.

The Center has invested in 45 new pickleball courts, with 15 designated for use in the Aloha Pickleball Games & Festival.

“The Aloha Pickleball Games & Festival will feature a competitive tournament format with a fun-filled festival for the entire family,” said event organizer Scott Winters. “We have designed this inaugural event to be loaded with benefits for all players, including extra playtime and activities for the whole family. The Hawai‘i Convention Center has invested in new pickleball courts, emphasizing its goal of becoming a premier destination for pickleball enthusiasts worldwide. We are honored to host the first tournament to utilize these new courts.”

The tournament will follow official USA pickleball tournament Rules. Each player is guaranteed plenty of play time with a round robin format. The top four players from each division will advance to the finals playoff round to decide the top three places, which will earn unique tournament-themed awards.

Registration is open through Oct. 23, 2024, at https://pickleballbrackets.com?AlohaPickleballGamesFestival

Entry fees are $80 per person for the first event and $25 per person for the second event. Discounted fees are available for first-time beginners, junior divisions and military/veteran players. Spectators and family members have free entry to access to the Pop Up Pickleball Vendor Village and can participate in most non-tournament activities. Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are also available by contacting the organizers at https://pickleballmanagement.com/contact/

In addition, the event will include family activities, raffle prizes, and a demo court. Each participant receives a gift bag with tournament souvenirs, sponsor gifts and hospitality tickets.

“We are excited to expand the Hawai‘i Convention Center’s highly successful sports courts program this year to include pickleball – a sport that has grown 60 percent in the past 5 years,” said Teri Orton, General Manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center. “Our new premium pickleball rollout mat courts play just like championship outdoor pickleball courts, and we look forward to hosting our first players during the Aloha Pickleball Games.”

In addition to pickleball, the Center offers 28 volleyball and badminton courts, 18 basketball courts and 11 futsal courts in its Level 1 Kamehameha Exhibit Halls, making it a versatile venue for sports tournaments of any size. Additional details on the Center’s sports courts program are available here.

About the Hawai‘i Convention Center
“Where Business and Aloha Meet,” the 1.1 million-square-foot Hawai‘i Convention Center provides a spacious, modern and flexible meeting space in the heart of Honolulu – all with an award-winning team and renowned aloha spirit. Conveniently located between East and West, the Center is a global leader for a diverse array of meetings and events, just steps from 30,000 hotel rooms in iconic Waikiki. The Center is a state-owned facility opened in 1998, and is managed by ASM Global. For more, visit HawaiiConvention.com.

About ASM Global

ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management – delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. For more, visit www.asmglobal.com.

About Pickleball Management Group

Pickleball Management Group is a Northern California based company, formed by a management team with decades of experience in health club operations, sporting goods sales, product development and event management including 3 on 3 basketball events held worldwide. The company offers complete turnkey consulting and management services for pickleball facility planning, development and operations, sport programming, equipment sourcing, court construction, pro shop management and much more. The company’s Pop Up Pickleball courts have been a popular hit at tournaments, exhibitions, trade shows, indoor and outdoor festivals and glow in the dark events. For more, visit www.pickleballmanagement.com.

Parking Notice during the 2024 Pokémon World Championships

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We look forward to welcoming attendees to the Pokémon World Championships.

Public parking for this event will be available offsite at the Ala Moana Center (1450 Ala Moana Blvd.) Premium Parking location P1706

The parking garage at the Hawaii Convention Center (HCC) will be closed and utilized for Pokémon Center queues from Aug. 14-18, 2024. For a detailed map and additional information, click here. 

ADA Parking is available for attendees with disabilities. Please present your handicap parking placard upon arrival at the parking garage. 

Mahalo for your patience and understanding.

New O Ka Hale Surfboard Collection at the Hawaii Convention Center (3rd Floor Concourse)

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Drawing inspiration from the inventors of surfing, the Polynesians, these hand-shaped alaia (traditional Hawaiian surfboards) blend the old with the new, and honor those who shaped and rode before us in Hawai‘i. Sustainably sourced and crafted by Lloyd Boards on the Island of Kaua‘i, each piece is designed with the shape of grains in mind so no two are the same.

The Center’s O Ka Hale Surfboard Collection can be viewed at our 3rd Floor Concourse outside of Room 317AB (to the right of main escalators). For more information on each board, click HERE.

The Hawai‘i Convention Center is home to a permanent art collection in partnership with the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and its Art in Public Places program. It also hosts rotating collections in displays throughout the building. Artworks are open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

To view the Center’s art collection, click HERE

From left: The ‘Auana , The Pueo, Koa Wai Kula

Join Us For our Annual Mother’s Day Brunch & Show Featuring Josh Tatofi!

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Join us on SATURDAY, May 11, 2024 for a special Mother’s Day Brunch and Show!  Treat Mom and the entire ohana to a delicious brunch buffet followed by a performance by Grammy nominee and Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner, Josh Tatofi! With special guest Manalani English-Souza (Miss Aloha Hula 2013). 

View menu HERE. 

Looking for a special gift for Mom? We’ve invited a few vendors to make the day extra special. Shop for special gifts from Maileo Designs by Josh Tatofi, Aloha de Mele, Hawaii’s Sweetheart Designs, Chelle’s House Boutique and more!

Free entry for children 0-2 years. Strollers are allowed but anyone occupying a seat must purchase a ticket.

Tickets are $175 per adult and $90 per child (3-11 years old); tables of 10 are $1,700 (plus processing fee).

Tickets are non-refundable.

SATURDAY, May 11, 2024 

9:00 am – 11:45 am: Vendor Marketplace (4F Ballroom Foyer)

9:45 am: Doors and Bar Open

10:00am – 11:45 am: Brunch Buffet

12:00 pm: Performance by Josh Tatofi

Parking: $15 per entry

NOTE: Parking is limited. Offsite parking options available at Ala Moana Center (Map HERE).

For questions, please call (808) 943-3500

Hawai‘i Convention Center Creates Over 500 Genki Balls for Ala Wai Restoration

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Dozens of staff at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global, created and deployed hundreds of Genki Balls into the Ala Wai Canal to assist with Ala Wai ecosystem restoration in celebration of America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, 2023.

The Center’s staff created 548 Genki Balls and deployed another 500 into the Ala Wai in collaboration with the nonprofit Genki Ala Wai Project, under the Hawaii Exemplary State Foundation. Through bioremediation, or the use of living organisms to remove pollutants from soil and water, the nonprofit organization is working to make the Ala Wai Canal fishable and swimmable within 7 years. The tennis ball-sized Genki mud balls contain a mixture of clay soil, rice bran, molasses, water and Effective Microorganisms (EM)-1 solution, which helps digest the canal’s polluted sludge.

“The Ala Wai Canal is part of what makes the Hawai‘i Convention Center so special, and we are proud to be responsible stewards of this iconic waterway,” said Teri Orton, General Manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center.

This effort is part of the Center’s Hoʻomaluō (to conserve or manage wisely) conservation program. Hoʻomaluō guides the Center’s leadership in environmental best practices, including energy consumption, water use and waste diversion. November 15 also marked the start of the Global Month of Giving, an initiative spearheaded by ASM Global to help support and give back to local communities.

America Recycles Day is recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to celebrate the recycling and waste reduction efforts of communities and businesses throughout the U.S.  

Hawai‘i Convention Center Earns State and National Meetings Honors

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The Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global, is pleased to announce that it has recently been recognized with state and national meetings honors:

  • EXHIBITOR magazine named the Center among its Centers of Excellence winners, featured in its October/November issue. The award honors North America’s top convention centers for trade shows and events based on a variety of criteria within select categories, including Facility & Functionality, Location & Accommodations, Service & Execution, Upgrades & Expansions, and Awards & Industry Participation. A panel of corporate exhibit managers also surveys past clients and reviews selling points, event spaces, and innovations.
  • The Center was among 18 venues in the U.S. and Canada to be named “Best Convention Center” by Smart Meetings magazine in its 2023 Smart Stars awards.  Smart Meetings is a leading meetings industry publisher. The awards, now in their 11th year, recognize meeting planners’ preferences for hotels, resorts, properties, cruise lines, and conference and convention centers across 31 categories. Winners reflect the highest standards of excellence in service, amenities, and customer satisfaction.
  • Facilities & Destinations magazine recognized the Center as one of its 2023 Prime Site Award of Excellence winners. The Center is one of 42 ASM Global venues to be honored this year, as selected by Facilities & Destinations readers. For more than 30 years, Facilities Media Group has served as a leading news source and marketing partner for professional planners of conventions, tradeshows, meetings, entertainment, and special events, and for the cities and venues in which they take place.
  • The Hawai‘i Green Business Program (HGBP) recognized the Center on June 29, 2023, for its energy efficiency and sustainable business practices. Thirty-seven awardees representing five islands were honored. The program is a partnership between Hawai‘i’s Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Health; Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i; and the Board of Water Supply.

“As the Hawai‘i Convention Center celebrates its 25th year offering world-class meetings and events, we are honored to be named among the best meetings venues in the world,” said Teri Orton, General Manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center. “These awards speak to the continued efforts and hard work of our dedicated staff to share the Aloha Spirit with all of our guests across local and citywide gatherings.”

Hawai‘i Convention Center Launches New E-Bars and Permanent Artwork Series  

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Two new ground-floor e-bars feature artwork by JT Ojerio of Aloha de Mele and Lloyd Boards of Kaua‘i

The Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global, has transformed its ground-floor Kahakai Lobby and escalator area with the installation of two new e-bars and a permanent artwork collection featuring the work of artists from O‘ahu and Kaua‘i.

The e-bars feature seating with individual power and USB ports and counterspace for mobile devices. The Center worked with artists JT Ojerio of Aloha De Mele and Lloyd Boards to select artwork that would enhance the look and feel of the spaces. There are three stand-alone custom installations by Ojerio, including two lei renderings above one e-bar.

A hand-shaped koa surfboard by Lloyd Boards hangs above the second e-bar. Artwork by Ojerio – a painting of loulu palms – is featured as a backdrop for the board, providing continuity to the installations. Across from this e-bar is a 6-foot by 20-foot wall mural featuring Native Hawaiian model Penina Vaimaona wearing a lei po‘o by Cheka Diaz of Kahihae Floral.

“This artwork showcases the talents of our local artists to guests from around the world, while brightening these new workspaces with a fresh and modern feel. The Center strives to promote Hawai‘i’s culture to our guests through our wide selection of artwork,” said Teri Orton, General Manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center. “The e-bars are part of our ongoing efforts to enhance shared spaces in the Center, providing easy access to value-added amenities for our guests.”

“I hope that guests at the Center find these pieces beautiful and welcoming and also reflective of what Hawai‘i is,” Ojerio said. “My artwork is often described as simplistic and bold, with just one subject – to me, that is Hawai‘i, simple and beautiful, but also bold and strong with its people and its culture.”

“We work with all local materials to make our boards, and we are grateful that the Hawai‘i Convention Center is taking the lead in showcasing products that are 100% made in Hawai‘i and supporting our local artists,” said Jeremy Lloyd, owner of Lloyd Boards. “It’s so important, and we are honored to be a part of it.”

The Hawai‘i Convention Center is home to a permanent art collection in partnership with the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and its Art in Public Places program. It also hosts rotating collections in displays throughout the building. Learn more here.

Earlier this year the Center completed the installation of two new Hawaiian cultural exhibits on its third floor – the Pūali‘ahu Feather Cape Exhibit available to the public for two years, and a new permanent display exploring The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu.

Malama Maui

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Assistance Center Relocated to Ke‘ehi Lagoon

Effective Sunday, August 13, the Assistance Center at the Hawai‘i Convention Center has been relocated to the Keʻehi Lagoon Memorial at 2685 N. Nimitz Highway in Honolulu. 

The American Red Cross will continue to offer these same services to Maui evacuees at Ke‘ehi Lagoon Memorial. Shuttles offering free transportation from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to Keʻehi Lagoon Memorial will be running throughout the day and can be found outside of baggage claim 9 and baggage claim 20 at the airport.

For updates on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island Wildfire, click HERE

For donation opportunities, click HERE

To volunteer with the Red Cross, click HERE or email volunteerpacific@redcross.org

For assistance in locating loved ones in Maui, please call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Select Option 4 and follow the voice prompts for “Hawaii Wildfires”