Honolulu, HI

Key Highlights

Hotels	115
Total Sleeping Rooms	30,000
Committable Sleeping Rooms*	1,700
Committable Meeting Rooms*	793
Largest Exhibit Space	204,249 Sq. Ft.
Largest Ballroom	28,000 Sq. Ft.
Average Hotel Room Rate	USD $177
Average Daily Meal Cost	USD $85
Average Weekly Car Rental	USD $418
*Maximum for a single hotel

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Honolulu, HI Meeting Planning Overview

Searching for a space to bring your Honolulu meeting planning together? Honolulu isn't just a destination for pleasure trips - it also knows how to get down to business. Home to the striking 1.1 million-square-foot Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu has hosted annual conferences and events for many well-known corporations, including the National Psychological Association, National Medical Association, Hawaii State Department of Health and National Pest Management Association.

The truly remarkable Hawaii Convention Center allows attendants to enjoy Hawaii - even from indoors. More than 60 percent of the center is landscaped with mature palm trees and lush tropical plants, while all indoor circulation areas are open to the outdoors for natural ventilation and light. The center also features a 2.5-acre rooftop tropical garden, 70-foot misting waterfall in the lobby and glass-encased meeting rooms and common spaces with unparalleled views. The center was voted the most beautiful convention center in the world by the International Association of Exhibition Management and is the winner of 14 consecutive Prime Site Awards from Facilities & Destinations magazine. Aside from being beautiful, the convention center features nearly 150,000 square feet of meeting space, cutting-edge technology and delicious Hawaiian cuisine.

The Hawaii Convention Center is conveniently located adjacent to the hotel-plentiful Waikiki Beach, which offers more than 30,000 hotel rooms, with 10,000 committable rooms within a one-mile radius of the center. Nationally-ranked public buses and trolleys transport guests all over the island, stopping at the convention center, major hotels, beaches, shopping areas and major attractions. Several large Waikiki resorts have recently completed or are currently under revitalization efforts. The Honolulu International Airport is undergoing a 12-year, $2.3-billion modernization plan to upgrade passenger terminals, infrastructure, runways and security services. Completed upgrades include new flight display monitors, additional food and beverage vendors and a new parking garage.

Honolulu boasts a superior year-round climate, with temperatures averaging 77°F, so anytime is a great time to visit. Guests can feel safe and secure, as Honolulu has the lowest rate of violent crime of any U.S. city with more than 500,000 people. Honolulu not only works hard, but plays hard, with numerous championship golf courses, an abundance of adventure and leisure hiking, supreme surfing, fantastic snorkeling among living reefs and serious sun tanning. With options like these, it's no surprise that Hawaii frequently ranks among the top destinations for leisure travel in the U.S., and is a locale that entices droves of event attendants and Honolulu meeting planning professionals.

Honolulu's current industry mainstays include tourism, followed by federal defense expenditures, agricultural exports (chiefly pineapples), telecommunications and mining. Honolulu serves as the regional headquarters for many renowned companies, including Hawaiian Airlines, Bank of Hawaii, Oahu Transit Services, Inc., and Kaiser Permanente Medical Group. It is also home to several colleges and universities, including the University of Hawaii-Manoa, Hawaii Pacific University and Chaminade University of Honolulu.

About Honolulu, HI / Additional Info

While no one knows for certain when Honolulu was founded, this Hawaiian capital is known throughout the world for its pristine beaches, rich culture and endless adventure. Honolulu is located between Makapauu and Halawa on the southeastern shore of Oahu, one of the eight main islands of Hawaii. Stretching about 10 miles across and four miles inland into the foothills of the Koolua Range, Honolulu is the most populous locale in the state and home to 910,000 residents. The island of Oahu is known as "The Gathering Place," due to its diverse racial mix - more than 20 percent of residents report two or more ancestries, the most popular of which include Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific-Islander.

Hawaiian oral histories and archaeology suggest that Honolulu, meaning "sheltered harbor," was settled around 1100 A.D. As one of the last areas on the globe explored by Europeans, Honolulu was first visited by English Captain William Brown on the ship Butterworth in 1794. Honolulu was westernized by missionaries, seaman and adventurers from America and Europe, most notably a group of New England missionaries that left behind Western religion, education and economics.

Honolulu experienced tragedy on December 7, 1941 when Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese, prompting the U.S. to enter World War II. The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, one of Honolulu's most-visited destinations today, commemorates the servicemen whose lives were lost that day. In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state in the U.S., which was followed by an economic and tourism boom as domestic and international travelers alike flocked to the islands. Honolulu still celebrates Statehood Day, held every third Friday in August, to commemorate the momentous occasion. Honolulu's rich history and culture are also showcased in several famed sites, including Iolani Palace, the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Aloha Tower, Byodo-In Temple and Bishop Museum.

Numerous valleys divide Honolulu into distinct neighborhoods. Among the most popular are Waikiki, Ala Moana, downtown Honolulu and the Capitol District. The world-famous Waikiki Beach stretches from the slopes of Diamond Head, a massive long-extinct volcanic crater, to Ala Moana. A great spot for families, Waikiki's main thoroughfare is Kalakaua Boulevard, known for its high-end hotels, shops and restaurants. The Ala Moana neighborhood is home to the Hawaii Convention Center and Ala Moana Center, one of the largest open-air shopping centers in the world.

Downtown Honolulu, filled with luxury high-rises and buzzing with activity, is regarded as the financial and commercial center of Hawaii. Honolulu's Capitol District lies east of downtown and is the current and historic center of Hawaii's state government. Favorite sites in the Capitol District include the Hawaii State Capitol, Iolani Palace and Honolulu Hale (City Hall). Close by is Honolulu's Chinatown, an artsy, energetic area that's home to traditional Chinese herbalists, delicious ethnic restaurants and breathtaking Taoist, Buddhist and Shinto temples.

Honolulu, HI Key Stats for Meeting Planners

Time Zone: Hawaiian Time (HAT)
Convention Center(s):

Hawaii Convention Center

Hotel at Convention Center? No
Sleeping Rooms 1 Mile from Convention Center: 18,635

Airport(s):

Honolulu International Airport

Destination Type(s):

Beach Destination
Golf Destination
Smoke-free Restaurants

Special Event Venues
275
Population
953,207
Restaurants
745
Country Code
1
Sales Tax
4.50%
Currency
U.S. Dollar
Standard Tipping Practice
10-20%
Electricity
120V / 60Hz
Official Languages
English

Credit Cards and Travelers Cheques widely accepted? Yes

All average costs based on U.S. Government Per Diem rates as published by the U.S. General Services Administration.

Cities Near Honolulu, HI

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Hilo, HI	N/A	n/a	45 min	USD $150+
Los Angeles, CA	N/A	n/a	5 hr 10 min	USD $580+
Wahiawa, HI	24 mi	34 min	n/a	N/A

Honolulu, HI Climate Information

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. High (°F)	80	80	81	82	84	86	87	88	88	86	84	81
Avg. Low (°F)	66	66	67	69	70	72	73	74	74	72	70	67
Rec. High (°F)	87	88	89	89	93	92	94	93	95	94	93	89
Rec. Low (°F)	52	53	55	56	60	65	66	67	66	61	57	54
Rainfall (in)	3.4	2.6	2.8	1.3	1.0	0.4	0.6	0.6	0.7	2.0	2.6	3.5

Moderated by its mid-ocean location and cooling California current, Honolulu boasts a year-round average temperature of 77°F. Temperatures rarely exceed the 90°F mark nor slip below the 60s. Honolulu's coldest month is February, when nighttime temperatures can dip into the mid-60s. The warmest month is August, when daytime temperatures can rise to the upper 80s and the average low is 74°F. The average annual precipitation is 22.4 inches. January and December tend to be the rainiest months with an average 3.7 inches of rainfall, while June is the driest with less than a half inch of precipitation. While Honolulu is warm year-round, many prefer visiting during the summer season, which starts in May and runs through October. During this time temperatures are warm and rainfall is at a minimum.

Meeting Planning in Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Convention Center

Known for its unique architectural design and breathtaking meeting space, the Hawaii Convention Center is the state's flagship civic exhibition center. Opened in 1998, the 1.1 million-square-foot center is conveniently located only 7.5 miles away from the Honolulu International Airport, and features more than 10,000 committable hotel rooms located within one mile. Planned for clarity and simplicity, the center dedicates one floor for each usage including exhibition space, parking facilities, meeting rooms and ballroom space.

The Hawaii Convention Center is not only flexible and functional, but it's also an exceptionally beautiful Honolulu meeting facility. The welcoming glass-front center, inspired by Hawaii's natural water features and native plants, resembles the shape of Polynesian sailing canoes. Designed to celebrate Hawaiian culture and the natural environment, the center is home to a 2.5-acre rooftop tropical garden, glass-encased meeting rooms and outdoor function spaces lined with lush palm trees. The center's $2 million Hawaiian art collection incorporates awe-inspiring original artwork and frescoes into the indoor space.

Guests can literally soak in the Hawaiian landscape and weather between meetings. More than 60 percent of the center is landscaped, including the lobby that features a 70-foot misting waterfall and mature palm trees. The outdoors are brought indoors, as all interior circulation space is open to the outdoors for natural light and ventilation. Not surprisingly, the center was voted the most beautiful convention center in the world by the International Association of Exhibition Management and is the winner of nine consecutive Prime Site Awards.

The center offers nearly 150,000 square feet of total meeting space, a 200,000-square-foot exhibition hall with drive-on floor access, 700 parking stalls, a 35,000-square-foot registration lobby, a 9,984-square-foot rooftop terrace and a 35,000-square-foot ballroom. This Honolulu event facility also boasts 47 meeting rooms, 10 executive meeting rooms, two theaters with tiered seating and a 20,000-square-foot production kitchen, one of the largest in the business. The center's kitchen staff is happy to design menus to accommodate varied tastes while still infusing a bit of Hawaiian flavor in each dish. A complete menu of culinary services ranging from catered meals and banquets to coffee and refreshment services is available.

The fully-wired Hawaii Convention Center is on the cutting edge of technology. The center offers connectivity to the Maui Super Computer, the 10th fastest in the world, and Internet access is available from anywhere in the center. Major meeting rooms are designed for a computer classroom set-up of 400 computers, and the two theaters feature high-tech audiovisual presentation capabilities. Press rooms can be equipped for global links to any country.

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Honolulu, HI Airport Information

Honolulu International Airport (HNL)

Approximate taxi fare: $20.92 USD

Honolulu International Airport, located just four miles west of Honolulu, is the principal aviation gateway for the state of Hawaii and the hub for Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Islands as well as other major domestic and international carriers. More than 20 million travelers per year touch down or take off from Honolulu International's four runways.

Occupying 2,126 acres of land and 2,210 acres of water, the open-air airport operates flights among the Hawaiian Islands and continental U.S., in addition to international routes to Asian and Pacific Rim destinations. A total of 29 airline carriers operate from one of its three terminals: the Main Terminal, Interisland Terminal and Commuter Terminal. The two-leveled Main Terminal services domestic and international flights, while the Interisland Terminal manages flights to and from the major airports on neighboring islands. The Commuter Terminal services smaller, propeller-driven and regional jets to and from all major Hawaiian airports.

Honolulu International offers excellent amenities and luxuries, including free Wiki-Wiki (meaning "fast" in Hawaiian) shuttles that run between terminals and a variety of duty-free and convenience shops, restaurants and bars. ATMs are located throughout the terminal, in addition to a post office, 24-hour medical clinic and business center for photocopying, basic office supplies and stationery, international telephone service, PC hire and fax services. Internet access is also available throughout the airport. Travelers looking to put work aside and simply relax can wander into one of the airport's 13 airline lounges or its lush outdoor tropical garden. Honolulu International's Pacific Aerospace Museum, located in the Main Terminal, explains the history of flight in Hawaii and features a full-scale space shuttle flight deck, flight simulator and large three-dimensional multimedia theater.

Guests can expect even more fabulous amenities and luxuries in the near future. In March 2006, the city of Honolulu unveiled a $2.3 billion, 12-year Honolulu International modernization program. Airport updates will include increased security and upgrades to passenger terminals, infrastructure and runways.

Airline carriers serving Honolulu International Airport

Air Canada
Air New Zealand
Air Pacific
Alaska Airlines
All Nippon Airways/Air Japan
Aloha Airlines
American Airlines
ATA/Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays
China Airlines

Continental International
Delta
go!
Hawaiian Airlines
Island Air
Japan Airlines/Jalways
Jetstar
JTB Hawaii, Inc./Oli Oli
Korean Air
Mokulele Air

North American
Northwest/KLM
Omni Air International
Pacific Wings
Philippines Airlines
Qantas Airways
Suntrips
United Airlines International
US Airways/America West
WestJet

Honolulu, HI Public Transportation

TheBus

Oahu's excellent, safe and clean public transportation bus system, affectionately coined "TheBus," has serviced the entire island since 1971. More than 71 million passengers utilize TheBus each year, making it the 20th most utilized transit system and 13th most utilized bus fleet in the country. In fact, Honolulu has the 6th highest transit ridership in the country, a particularly noteworthy accomplishment for a city without a rail system. About 25,000 visitors each day use the four routes offered by TheBus.

Fare cards are available in one-day and four-day unlimited passes. One-day passes cost $1 for children ages 6-17 and $2 for adults. A four-day unlimited pass costs $20. TheBus also operates the Handi-Van line, Oahu's paratransit system for persons with disabilities.

For more information: 808-848-4500

Waikiki Trolley

Operating since 1986, Waikiki Trolley offers routes that cover most tourist attractions and major shopping destinations on Oahu. Down to its authentic brass and wood trim, Waikiki Trolley's fleet of 50 trolleys are classic reproductions of San Francisco cable cars. More than eight million passengers have enjoyed these trolley rides, which not only get riders to their destinations but also teach them about Honolulu's history along the way. Waikiki Trolley operates on four lines: the Honolulu City Line (Red Line), Ocean Coast Line (Blue Line), Ala Moana Shopping Center Shuttle (Pink Line) and the Local Shopping and Dining Guide (Yellow Line). The Red Line includes stops at major Waikiki hotels, the Hawai'i Convention Center and various tourist attractions, including the State Capitol, Chinatown and the Aloha Tower Marketplace. The Blue Line drives along the coast as far east as Sea Life Park, while both the Pink Line and Yellow Line shuttle riders to major shopping destinations, including the famous Ala Moana Center.

Fare cards are available in one-day and four-day passes. Adult fares are $25 for a one-day pass and $45 for a four-day pass. Fares for children ages 4-11 are $12 for a one-day pass and $18 for a four-day pass.

For more information: 808-591-2561

Rental Cars

Many major rental car companies can be found throughout the Honolulu area. Major rental car companies Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National Car Rental, Alamo, Thrifty and Enterprise are represented at Honolulu International Airport.

Taxis

A variety of taxi lines are offered in Honolulu. Taxi fares are standardized among all major companies in Oahu and comparable to most major U.S. city rates. Sample fare from Honolulu International Airport to downtown Honolulu or Waikiki is $30.