Hawai`i Convention Center Welcomes Public to SEE-IT Exhibit

The SEE-IT Hawai`i science, engineering and technology exhibit, which debuted at the Hawai`i Convention Center during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in November 2011, is now open to the public at locations throughout the Center during the Center’s regular public operating hours.

SEE-IT, which stands for Science, Engineering Exposition – Innovative Technologies, Hawai`i, features exhibits on topics including biomedicine, defense systems, IT development and renewable energy.  It incorporates the work of 18 Hawai`i-based companies and organizations that have developed or use cutting-edge technologies and solutions.  Exhibitors include online gaming company Avatar Reality Inc., with a virtual world entertainment system; Hawaiian Electric Company, with a look at the future of renewable energy technologies; and astronomy researchers such as the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES), the W.M. Keck Observatory, and University of Hawai`i’s Institute for Astronomy.

The 12,000 sq. ft. exhibit will be open at the Center through 2012, and will be relocated to a permanent venue in the near future.  The long-term goal of exhibit co-founders Henk Rogers, Galen Ho, and Dr. Peter Crouch is to create a permanent discovery exposition to motivate young people in Hawai`i to embrace careers in science, engineering, and technology.  SEE-IT Hawai`i, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded to provide opportunities for people to connect with leading science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-based enterprises in Hawai`i.

For more information, visit www.see-it-hawaii.com.

HCC Welcomes New Director of Operations

Jennifer Nakayama, Director of Operations

The Hawai`i Convention Center extends a warm aloha to a new member of our team!  Jennifer Nakayama is our new Director of Operations, joining us from California, where she spent the past five years overseeing 81 projects totaling $8.6 million at Sea World San Diego.

At the Center, Jennifer will oversee engineering, housekeeping, capital projects, and security guest services.  Her experience includes master planning and corporate initiatives, solar and green projects, water quality, and company partnerships.  She also has a strong background in customer service, consensus and team building, and staff cross-training.  In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, and dancing.

Welcome to the team, Jennifer!