Aloha 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress!

Aloha and Welcome to all the delegates attending the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016!

Held once every 4 years, the IUCN World Conservation Congress brings together several thousand leaders and decision-makers from government, civil society, indigenous peoples, business, and academia, with the goal of conserving the environment and harnessing the solutions nature offers to global challenges.

IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016

IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016 at the Hawaii Convention Center

IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016 at the Hawaii Convention Center

Kalikimaka Lane – A Unique Alternative for Your Holiday Party

kalikimaka lane holiday party venue at hawaii convention center

Back by popular demand, Kalikimaka Lane is once again happening this holiday season at the Hawai`i Convention Center!

This festive holiday event is only offered for two days this year – Lunch on Friday, December 13 or Dinner on Saturday, December 14.

Created especially for groups of 20 to 200 people, Kalikimaka Lane is a unique alternative for your company party.  The halls of the convention center are transformed into a winter wonderland, with a delicious buffet spread, holiday decor, plus the benefits of a private room for your holiday party complete with holiday colored linens, centerpieces, podium with microphone, holiday music, and gift table.

Price is $39 for Lunch / $49 for Dinner (per person, includes service charge)

Click here to see the complete lunch and dinner menu >>

Questions?  Contact our sales office at 943-3500 or email info@hccsmg.com

kalikimaka lane holiday special at hawaii convention center

Click on this flyer to open a PDF version.

entrance to kalikimaka lane

festive decor at kalikimaka lane

lunch buffet at kalikimaka lane

Ho`ohanohano With Life Changes

joeA single year can bring many things… a house is bought or sold; a family grows by the birth of a new little one, or sadly there is a loss of a loved one; a new job emerges or you change your career.  Things change in life… that is inevitable.  But how we handle that change and adapt for what the future brings shows ho`ohanohano as the important Hawaiian value.

The Hawai`i Convention Center recently saw its General Manager of over 12 years, Joe Davis, depart for the golden sunset of retirement in January.  Much aloha was expressed to Mr. Davis by the hospitality industry that he has been passionate about for so many years.  Likewise, the convention center `ohana was filled with mixed emotions in his departure, but like so many other displays of leadership Mr. Davis had shown over the years, his ho`ohanohano in dealing with this change to our convention center came through.  Instead of shying away from the limelight, Mr. Davis continued to run the convention center with the distinction it has come to admire from so many national and international clients.  He also made sure to pass along the importance of integrity in all that we do, both at the convention center to our guests, and also to our fellow co-workers, family, and friends in our everyday lives.

To Mr. Davis, we wish you much aloha in retirement.  Mahalo and thank you sincerely for all that you have given to the Hawai`i Convention  Center, tourism in the State of Hawai`i, and the SMG family.  A hui hou.

Ho`okipa: The Hospitality of Complete Giving

Ho`okipa is the hospitality of complete giving, unselfishly extending to others the best that we have to give; to welcome guests, customers, and even strangers with the spirit of Aloha.

When we serve others unselfishly, genuinely, in a way that is gracious and satisfying, not only to the malihini (newcomer or visitor) but to every one of our guests, not expecting anything in return, they will want to return for that experience filled with Aloha, that we here at the Hawai`i Convention Center are known for.

HCC staff helping to decorate the hallways.

HCC staff clean and prepare the display cases for a brand new art installation.

Starting from the very first point of contact with sales, to the very last piece of trash that housekeeping picks up, to everyone in between and behind the scenes, we all have very important impressionable roles that can make our guests want to return or not.

Although this unique spirit of Ho`okipa can be more easily explained, translated, and taught than actually expressed, if we see and act with empathy and compassion we’ve already expressed Ho`okipa.

This spirit also transcends into our personal lives as well, whatever the circumstance or situation, without even thinking about it, we give our families and loved ones our all.

With the numerous repeat awards and client compliments that the convention center receives, I’m sure that everyone that works here has the true spirit of Ho`okipa.

Back By Popular Demand – Kalikimaka Lane

December 13 and 14 for Lunch
December 15 for Dinner

After 10 years and many requests, we have brought back the popular holiday special – Kalikimaka Lane at the Hawai`i Convention Center!

Perfect for groups of 20 to 200 people, consider Kalikimaka Lane for your company party or gathering with friends and family.  A delicious lunch and dinner buffet, private room, decorated room sets, podium with microphone, holiday music, and discounted parking all come with this special holiday offer.

See the complete lunch and dinner menu >>  All this for $39 for lunch and $49 for dinner (per person, includes service charge).

This special holiday event is available for these days only so don’t delay:

December 13 and 14, 2012 for LUNCH

December 15, 2012 for DINNER

Questions?  Contact our sales office at 943-3500 or email info@hccsmg.com.

Hawai`i Launches Efforts to Secure 2016 Global Conservation Meeting

Delegates from the Hawai`i IUCN 2012/2016 Alliance presented Hawai`i’s global conservation efforts at the 2012 World Conservation Congress in Jeju, Korea.

The Hawai`i Convention Center, among leaders from two-dozen organizations spanning the education, government, meetings, tourism, culture, and conservation sectors, has launched efforts to secure the 2016 World Conservation Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  Held every four years, it is the world’s largest and most important conservation event, with an estimated 8,000 participants from 140 countries working to negotiate solutions to environmental and development challenges.

In the first of several major milestones on the road to securing the 2016 Congress, a delegation of 40 leaders from Hawai`i and the Pacific Rim traveled to the 2012 Congress in Jeju, Korea, from Sept. 6-15, 2012, to showcase the state as a premier meetings destination to the international conservation community.

Delegates from the Hawai`i IUCN 2012/2016 Alliance presented at and led workshops, knowledge cafes, and poster sessions, each providing a perspective on Hawai`i’s global conservation efforts.  In addition, Hawaiian dancers performed as part of the meeting’s formal program, and delegates hosted a Hawai`i Nature + Aloha reception, which included participation from top IUCN officials and representatives from international conservation and environmental organizations.

A delegation of 40 leaders from Hawai`i and the Pacific Rim traveled to the 2012 Congress in Jeju, Korea, from Sept. 6-15, 2012.

These efforts represent the largest collaboration to secure a Hawai`i meeting since the November 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting (APEC), including participation by the Hawai`i Tourism Authority, the University of Hawai`i, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Hawai`i Conservation Alliance; as well as a continuation of relationships built during APEC, including work with the U.S. Department of State, the official U.S. member of the IUCN.

Laulima: Many Hands Working Together in Cooperation and Harmony

Our HCC Hawaiian Value of the Month is Laulima.

Laulima literally means “many hands working together,” but more importantly it represents a pillar principle within the Hawaiian culture.

In order to achieve our goals, working together is imperative.  Teamwork is stressed.  Individual achievement is encouraged, but success is found in the contributions of many hands working together.  Laulima embodies the essence of what it means to live aloha.

I recall a story in old Hawai`i, where Hawaiians would take a long cord or rope and tie ti leaves to it.  Then the entire group (many hands) would hold it and form a line in the ocean, holding this rope with the leaves in the water would ‘herd’ the fish towards the shore.  The group would slowly form a circle, to trap the fish.  If one person was out of sync, the fish could escape through that gap in the line.  Success or failure caused by one person would mean success or failure for the entire group.  It was important for people to help each other be successful.

As it applies today, regardless of what your job entails, we are all a vital part of our collective success… Laulima transcends into our work, family, social and economic behaviors.  Placing emphasis on Laulima in any situation will yield great benefits.

A`ohe hana nui ke alu`ia – No work is too big when shared by all.

Laulima paves the way to success!

`Ohana: To Be Genuinely Caring of Each Other and Bond Together as a Family

Our HCC Hawaiian Value of the Month is `Ohana.

Helpful staff at the concession stands are a part of why the Hawai`i Convention Center received 99% in all service categories. Photo courtesy of Spherion.

You may know it as team work, collaboration, togetherness, fellowship or partnership.  Here in Hawai`i, we call it working together as an `ohana.

To deliver a high level of service that is rated as 99% in all service categories in the last fiscal year, the Hawai`i Convention Center relies on all members of our staff to work together.  By excelling in our individual responsibilities, together we can produce the highest standards of service.  In doing so, we take care of one another and unconditionally work together as an `ohana, as a family.  We are encouraged to reach outside our specific departments to lend a hand, offer suggestions, and catch oversights that may affect our guest’s final experience.

From the security ambassador in the front lobby, to the restroom attendant, to the food server at your function, we all work as an `ohana with everyone working together as one in cooperation and harmony.  Our main goal is to provide the most memorable experience for our guests so that they will want to return to the Islands and the Hawai`i Convention Center many times in the future.

Getting ready for another memorable event. Photo courtesy of Spherion.

Our General Manager has encouraged the “E Komo Five” program with all our managers.  E Komo Five is a spin-off of the greeting “E Komo Mai” which means to welcome or to offer to come in.  In doing so, our managers take the time to stop and speak with the staff for at least five minutes, to catch-up and learn about their personal lives and families.  We emphasize our core values by nurturing our relationships with our fellow `ohana.

As Islanders, we are proud of our home and genuinely giving ways and want to demonstrate immediately to our guests what a wonderful place Hawai`i is by including our visitors into our `ohana.  You will find that our staff is always willing to stop and answer questions that you may have about where to go, where to shop, or where to eat.  We want to share ourselves so our visitors can experience what we know as the Aloha Spirit.  We are all ambassadors of Hawai`i and hope to bring great excitement to our guests by having them feel as they are all-in-the-`ohana.

E komo mai and welcome to our Hawai`i Convention Center `Ohana.

Thanks to a meticulous housekeeping staff like Gloria Sumbad the Hawai`i Convention Center stays sparkling clean and beautiful every day.

Kela: To Be Committed To Excellence

HCC Staff setting up another memorable event on the Rooftop.

Our HCC Hawaiian Value of the Month is Kela.

Kela by definition is to be committed to excellence and to uphold the highest standards in carrying out your responsibilities.

Each team member that works at the Hawai`i Convention Center embodies and embraces Kela in their tasks each and every day.

Our dedicated staff takes Kela to heart and consistently puts forth their best by delivering attendees exceptional service and world class food and beverage.  Our efforts have been recognized by distinguished attendees and meeting planners that have voted the Center to 14 consecutive Prime Site Awards.

Kela allows each of our team members to be proud of what they do on a daily basis, leaving an impression on our guests from around the world to return and experience our hospitality once again.

HCC Staff put the final touches on another exciting reception dinner.

Huikala: To Be Unconditionally Tolerant and Forgiving of Others

Our HCC Hawaiian Value of the Month is Huikala.

To possess and practice the value of Huikala means we agree to be unconditionally tolerant and forgiving of others.  When this statement is broken apart, three words, unconditional, tolerant, and forgiving stand out.  According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, unconditional means “not subject to condition or limitation, not dependent on or subjected to conditioning or learning.”  The word tolerant means “to endure, to put up with, to bear, done without prohibition or hindrance,” and the word forgiving means “to give up resentment of or claim to, to grant relief.”  Put together, we are agreeing to put up with our fellow workers and associates in a way that is not tied to anything they must do and, should they falter, we will grant them relief.

In our daily lives we all have chances to be givers of Huikala and receivers of Huikala.  As a giver, we realize and accept the fact that people make mistakes.  When they do, by not being too hard on them, it fosters an environment of cooperation and enables us to correct situations and move on.  As a receiver of Huikala, by knowing that others aren’t going to be angry and upset with us for making mistakes, it makes it easier to accept responsibility, helps eliminate “finger pointing” and helps to more clearly define standards and procedures.

In my mind, the true responsibility of Huikala clearly lies with the receiver.  When things don’t go quite as well as planned, don’t be afraid to raise your hand and admit that you’ve done wrong.  You should be open and willing to do whatever you can to help correct the situation and above all, LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES.  If you fail to learn and progress, you fail other values like Kinaoleto strive for perfection and Kuleanato carry out your responsibility in order to achieve excellence for the organization.

See what the American College of Chest Physicians had to say about their experience with HCC’s food and beverage staff.  Paul Markowski, Executive Vice President and CEO:

Heather Nash, Director of Meetings: