Aloha spirit can be good for the soul.

Hawaii has a lot more to offer than glistening, white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees, golden-skinned hula dancers, and orchid-topped mai tais--although youll find them all in abundance. Hawaii boasts the excitement and sophistication of a cosmopolitan destination, the appeal of an exotic culture, and the down-home comfort and safety of small-town America, all served up with a generous dash of Aloha spirit.

Meetings and conventions held in Hawaii are a treat for the entire family. Meeting rooms at luxury resorts meet executives' needs with state-of-the art audiovisual equipment. Social gatherings are often held in the balmy air outdoors on hotel lawns. In addition to familiar fast food outlets, top-notch Hawaiian regional cuisine and entertainment are dished out in restaurants and show rooms throughout the Islands. Especially appealing is the heartfelt desire among local residents to share their culture with adults and keiki (children) alike. Meetings held in Hawaii are not only good for business, they can be good for one's very soul.

In 1991, when tourism went into a slump along with the national economy, Hawaii's visitor industry officials and legislators took a close look at what the state offered and how improvements could be made to entice groups to schedule meetings in the islands. Planning was already in the works for a new convention center to be completed in 1998, but the legislature issued guidelines that mandated several features such as size--675,000 square feet overall, with 200,000 square feet of exhibition space, and a 35,000 square-foot ballroom.

"The goal is to attract larger, international businesses and to be able to handle multiple bookings," explains Dennis Minga, communications director for the Waikiki Convention Center. "The new center will be able to hold a maximum of 16,000 people and will open up the market for groups of 6,000 to 8,000 members (a size impractical for any single Hawaiian hotel to currently handle). One of the more ambiguous requirements is that the new center has to have a Hawaiian ambiance."

It will be up to the winning contractor to interpret Hawaiian ambiance in architectural, interior design, and landscaping details, but it's a safe bet that the finished center, located on the western edge of Waikiki, will be filled with the scent of tropical flowers, the sweet strains of Hawaiian melodies, and the gentle touch of Hawaiian hospitality.