Hawaiian EDVentures
wins top HVCB award

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By Russ Lynch
rlynch@starbulletin.com

A program run by the University of Hawaii-Hilo and Destination Hawaii today won the top award at the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau annual "Keep it Hawaii" awards luncheon.

It was the second win of the Best of Show award for the program, called Hawaiian EDVentures, which puts visitors together with Hawaiian elders to learn about native culture and arts. It also won the award in 1999. The 10-year-old program provides "alternative" vacations that allow visitors to learn by participating in cultural activities.

It was chosen out of a record-breaking 136 entries in 18 categories that were reviewed over a two-week period by 70 volunteer judges, said Tony Vericella, HVCB president and chief executive officer. Winners of the Kahili Awards hail from Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island.

A special Pomaikai Award, for a business that's shown a long-term commitment to Hawaii, went to Hilton Hotels Corp.

Kahili Awards went to two attractions, Maui Nei -- A Journey Through Lahaina and the Bishop Museum outlet in the Hilton Kalia Tower, Waikiki.