By Ken Sakamoto, Star-Bulletin
The Rev. William Kaina, left, and Gov. Ben Cayetano
took part in a blessing at the grand opening of the
Hawaii Convention Center yesterday.
Convention center
elicits oohs, aahs
After blessings and
By James Song
dedications, the public
takes a look inside
Star-BulletinSaelua Siaosi's smile stretched all the way from the Hawaii Convention Center to his home in Waianae yesterday.
The 56-year-old construction worker wandered around the $350 million concrete-and-glass palace as he pridefully pointed out to his wife, Folole, all the areas that he helped build.
"It's real, real nice," he said. "Everything is complete and in good shape. I'm real proud of it."
The Siaosis were among the hundreds, including Gov. Ben Cayetano, who attended the center's grand-opening dedication ceremony yesterday.
Siaosi said the more than two years of hard work and long hours were well worth it.
The project was his final before retirement.
"I'm proud of him, real proud of what he did," said Folole Siaosi. "Every time we go by, I'll think of him working hard."
The ceremonies opened with singing by 30 third-graders from Lunalilo Elementary School.Each student was brightly dressed in the garb of the career they would like to pursue, such as a doctor or police officer. One girl even sported a Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls uniform.
"They represent the future of our state," said Alton Kuioka, chairman of the state Convention Center Authority.
Kuioka said the center will keep Hawaii's tourism industry competitive and supply job opportunities.
"It's an investment in our future and the lives of our children," he said.
Cayetano said the center "reflects the beauty and culture of our state."
He asked the hundreds in attendance to keep "nurturing the aloha spirit" and "teaching the keikis why Hawaii is so special."
"A great big mahalo for a job well done," he said.
After blessings and dedications, the center was opened for an hour so the public could take a look inside.
Residents seemed in awe as they went up the three-story escalators to an upper level featuring local artwork, palm trees and a waterfall.
The makai side of the center is open and overlooks Waikiki's skyline and the Ala Wai Canal. The mauka side faces the lush, green mountains through the elaborate glass walls.Kaimuki resident Herbert Haraguchi, 78, said the center exceeded his expectations.
"It's terrific," he said. "I didn't expect it to be so spacious."
The complex, which rests on 9.7 acres of land, has 1.1 million square feet of floor space.
About a third can be used for meetings and exhibits.
If the convention center doesn't generate the $200 million in taxes it is estimated to bring in every year, two sixth-graders from Moanalua Elementary have an alternative plan.
"They should make it into a school so we can play tag and hide-and-seek," said Eric Chung, 10.
"It's nice and it's super big," said Brandon Oba-Ranion, 11.
Those who missed yesterday's dedication can have a look at the center tomorrow from noon to 4:30 p.m. No public parking will be provided.
Take a "virtual tour" of the center
from their Web site.
