Be the first to feel the holiday magic at the Hawai‘i Convention Center with early access to ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas on Ice – a spectacular new monthlong immersive light experience and expansive 8,000-square-foot indoor ice-skating rink, opening in early December. Sign up now at AlohaImmersive.com for early access to presale tickets and updates.

‘Twas the Light Before Christmas on Ice, presented by American Savings Bank, will showcase a 10,000-square-foot multi-sensory immersive experience, “Spectacular Factory – A Holiday Multiverse”, produced by ARTECHOUSE and never before seen in Hawai‘i. An indoor ice-skating rink with holiday music, lighting, and themed events offers a new way to chill out with friends and family with timed entry that ensures ample space for everyone.

The entire family will enjoy a winter wonderland with festive activities while strolling through the Center’s 56,000-square-foot exhibit hall space, including familiar favorites with unlimited photo opportunities, such as winding paths along the snow-covered Fir Forest of Light, two giant light tunnels, multiple large-scale holiday light displays with ornaments, snowflakes and stars, and a Santa sleigh and reindeer (with visits from Santa!).

A new dedicated keiki wonderland will feature fun activities such as bounce houses and soft play area, a holiday movie theater, and a Honolulu Cookie Company Letters to Santa station. A comfortable lounge brings everyone together to relax and enjoy specialty cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks, and signature holiday treats.

Also new this year, the American Savings Bank Holiday Marketplace offers the opportunity to shop local vendors on select weekends, and a selection of ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas on Ice merchandise brings the magic home for the holidays.

Stay tuned for ticket details and additional information including staycation packages at the Prince Waikīkī. Private bookings are also welcome for corporate and group events with a Holiday Pā‘ina food and beverage menu. Family, group and school field trip pricing will be available.

“With the success of our first ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas event last year, we are excited to welcome kama‘aina and visitors of all ages for a full lineup of stunning new immersive content, holiday activities, light displays and indoor ice skating. We have thoughtfully woven holiday magic into each detail to create an unforgettable experience for every guest,” said Teri Orton, General Manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center.

To view the latest information regarding our 2026-2027 Rooftop Repairs and Enhancements project, please visit https://www.meethawaii.com/convention-center/planner-information/construction-faq/

Please be advised of temporary lane closures due to gas line relocation and road paving work by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC), in coordination with Hawaiʻi Gas.

The eastbound right and middle lanes of Kapiʻolani Boulevard, from Atkinson Drive to Hauʻoli Street, will be closed for approximately three weeks, with a work schedule of Monday – Friday, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (excluding holidays). This closure will allow Hawaiʻi Gas to relocate a gas line ahead of DDC’s upcoming paving project.

For full details, please refer to the original news release linked HERE

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”

Na Leo Pilimehana has found a new home for the holidays at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center! Join us for a special holiday dinner concert at our 4th floor Kalākaua Ballroom on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022.

BUY TICKETS HERE

Celebrate the holidays with loved ones and friends while enjoying a special buffet dinner and live performance by the best-selling Hawaiian female group in the world. Na Leo Pilimehana, which in Hawaiian means “voices blending together in warmth,” captures the group’s style of soothing, melodic voices. With 23 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, Na Leo, consisting of three childhood friends – Nalani Jenkins, Lehua Kalima and Angela Morales-Escontria, has written, recorded and performed more than 20 No. 1 hits.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with a special guest performer Maunalua, a Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning Hawaiian music trio. A buffet dinner from the Center’s Executive Chef Hector Morales starts at 5:30 p.m. Signature cocktails and light refreshments will also be available for purchase at the bar. Concert starts at 7:00 p.m.

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

Date & Time:

Saturday, December 17, 2022
5:00 p.m.: Doors and bar open
5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.: Buffet dinner 
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.: Concert

Location:
4th Floor, Kalākaua Ballroom
Hawaiʻi Convention Center
1801 Kalākaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815

For more information, please contact info@hccasm.com or call 808-943-3500.

BUY TICKETS HERE

Meeting planners can offset the environmental impact of their events by reforesting native trees in Hawai‘i

The Hawai‘i Convention Center is launching a first-of-its-kind program that provides carbon offset opportunities for all meetings and events.

The program provides meeting organizers with the opportunity to offset the carbon footprint of their meeting, as well as offer individual attendees the ability to select and plant endemic and native trees virtually or in-person. These efforts are 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.

The Center’s carbon offset program is also in alignment with the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s (HTA) vision of Mālama Kuʻu Home (Caring for My Beloved Home). HTA’s objective is to help empower the community to have a greater voice in tourism’s future, with a focus on regenerating the environment, perpetuating the Hawaiian culture, recognizing Hawai‘i’s multiethnic cultures and supporting responsible economic outcomes.

“The Hawai‘i Convention Center’s industry-leading environmental practices help reduce the impact of our meetings and events, and provide organizers and attendees with customized, turnkey options to protect our natural resources right here in Hawai‘i,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global.

In 2018 the Center achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v.4 O+M Gold certification, which was recertified in 2021. In January the Center was recognized among 14 venues and events with the 2021 Hawai‘i Green Business Program (HGBP) Award by the State of Hawai‘i for its energy efficiency and sustainable business practices.

The Center has offered its One Million Trees initiative since 2016, partnering with the statewide nonprofit Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI) to reforest native and endemic trees in Hawai‘i. The Center’s new carbon offset program is offered through Hawai‘i-based Legacy Carbon, which is dedicated to providing the highest-quality, cost-effective certified carbon offsets in the world. The program has been certified by the prestigious Switzerland-based Gold Standard Foundation and is the first forestry project in North America to issue Gold Standard credits.

The Hawai‘i Convention Center’s carbon footprint was calculated by Greenview in partnership with Legacy Carbon. Greenview is a sustainability firm that provides hospitality organizations with research, consulting and advisory services, as well as the leading online sustainability data platform.

To learn more about the carbon offset program, visit the Center’s website or e-mail info@hccasm.com.

We look forward to hosting your holiday event! Choose from a variety of venue options and tailored menu selections.

Book by October 31, 2022 and qualify for complimentary venue rental and parking!

The Hawaii Convention Center’s 2022 Holiday Paina Menu is now available! Click here to view online.

The Hawai‘i Convention Center will fully reopen its Exhibit Halls for meetings and events in January 2022 after hosting multiple public sector agencies and programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the pandemic, the Center worked with state agencies to quickly provide temporary space that allowed for additional staffing and social distancing, while delivering important public services such as unemployment claims processing for the Hawai‘i Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), COVID-19 contact tracing for the Hawai‘i Department of Health, vote counting for Hawai‘i’s Office of Elections, and Hawai‘i Bar Exams for the Hawai‘i State Judiciary. Most recently, the Center’s Exhibit Hall 1 served as a location for DLIR, DOH, and the Hawai‘i Housing Finance & Development Corporation (HHFDC)/Catholic Charities operation providing rental and housing assistance to local families. The DOH will move to a smaller space at the Center through spring 2022, while all other agencies will be returning to their original offices.

“The Hawai‘i Convention Center was pleased to serve our community by offering space so these agencies could provide important services in a safe and socially distanced manner,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global. “As the COVID-19 pandemic has progressed, the needs for these spaces have changed, and we will be welcoming meetings and events back to our Exhibit Halls.”

The health and safety of guests and employees is the Center’s top priority, and it continues to follow guidelines set by the State of Hawai‘i and the City & County of Honolulu. The Center has developed and implemented health and safety measures led by ASM Global’s comprehensive VenueShield program.

The Center has also developed new virtual meetings packages to offer guests the convenience of attending meetings remotely. This full array of turnkey video-production services includes professionally coordinated pre-recording management, webinar and live-stream production, and hybrid meeting design and execution across a variety of popular virtual platforms.

Visit HawaiiConvention.com for updates and additional information about booking a meeting or event. The Center’s interactive virtual map offers a complete 3D tour of rooms and facilities.

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.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Teddi Anderson
President, TLC PR
(808) 535-9099
teddi@tlcpr.com

The Hawai‘i Convention Center welcomes Hector Morales as its new executive chef.

Morales has 25 years of culinary leadership experience in Hawai‘i. He most recently served as the chef de cuisine at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Island of Hawai‘i. He also founded a food service consultancy, working with well-known restaurants in Hawai‘i and Nevada.

Morales previously served as the executive chef at the Polynesian Cultural Center for eight years, overseeing culinary and food services for thousands of guests daily across luaus, restaurants and concessions. He started his Hawai‘i career at O‘ahu’s Turtle Bay Resort, where he was executive chef for 16 years, managing the resort’s three restaurants, as well as the culinary operations for a variety of large-scale events. Morales also advised food and beverage teams at Turtle Bay Resort partner properties throughout the country.

In addition, Morales has extensive international experience. He worked as a chef at the SAS Norway and as the banquet chef for the King of Norway. He also worked as chef de cuisine at The Regent Sydney in Australia.

Morales is a graduate of the Johnson & Wales University Culinary Arts program. His achievements are recognized by the James Beard Foundation and Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs.

“The Hawai‘i Convention Center is widely known for its culinary innovation, sharing the authentic flavors of the Pacific with meetings and events guests from around the world. We are enthusiastically looking forward to Hector’s leadership and extensive experience as we continue to welcome guests back,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global.

The health and safety of guests and employees are the Center’s top priority, and it continues to follow guidelines set by the State of Hawai‘i and the City & County of Honolulu. The Center has developed and implemented health and safety measures led by ASM Global’s comprehensive VenueShield program.

Visit HawaiiConvention.com for updates and additional information about booking a meeting or event. The Center’s interactive virtual map offers a complete 3D tour of rooms and facilities.