Oahu: the gathering place.

Until the new convention center is completed, two beachfront hotels located on the main island of Oahu, appropriately nicknamed "The Gathering Place," host the largest meetings in Waikiki. Working together as the "Waikiki Convention Connection," The Sheraton Waikiki and the Hilton Hawaiian Village provide a workable alternative to a convention center for large groups.

The Sheraton Waikiki contains grand and versatile meeting facilities with more than 45,000 square feet of indoor conference and banquet space in 19 meeting rooms. Hawaii Ballroom, which can hold 3,600 conventioneers in its 26,000-square-foot expanse, is the central axis of the Sheraton Waikiki's second-floor convention facility.

Just a few blocks away, a little closer to a fascinating potpourri of shopping at the two-level, open-air Ala Moana Center, Hilton Hawaiian Village has become a popular place to mix business and pleasure in tropical splendor. The National Association of Realtors, Chicago, and Meeting Planners International, Dallas, have both held conventions at the village in the last couple of years, each booking 1,000-1,500 rooms.

The village boasts two complete conference centers. The Mid-Pacific Conference Center houses the elegant Coral Lounge and the 20,000-square-foot newly redecorated Coral Ballroom, with the most sophisticated audiovisual and lighting equipment available Fifteen breakout rooms and a 6,000-square-foot South Pacific Ballroom are across the hall from six individual suites ideal for parties, receptions, and luncheons. Outdoor function space totals 50,000 square feet.

On the same grounds, the Tapa Tower Conference Center has the 16,000-square-foot Tapa Ballroom under a soaring 23-foot ceiling, plus seven breakout rooms for meetings. A glassed-in control room handles high-tech sound and lighting effects, while the adjoining Palace Lounge provides space for registration, exhibits, and pre-function cocktails.

With banquet and meeting facilities just slightly smaller at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, this centrally located hotel is also a popular and convenient locale for conventions. The 10,023-square-foot Regency Ballroom glistens under a crystal chandelier Ballroom windows and the adjoining outdoor reception area around the pool terrace overlook Waikiki Beach, which is just across the street. Two 40-story towers connected by an open-air atrium house 1,230 rooms, including 12 oceanfront suites.

Located less than 10 minutes from Waikiki on the east side of Diamond Head, the Kahala Hilton isn't known so much for its capacity to hold large groups as it is for plush privacy, nestled securely on a cozy beach and bordered by the golf greens of Waialae Country Club. Since 1965, when National Broadcasting Company chose the Kahala Hilton for its annual convention of network affiliates, entertainment and corporate executives have come to the resort to collaborate, brainstorm, and participate in seminars and retreats. The new "Boardroom 1100" is perfect for small corporate meetings of up to 16 people. Larger meeting and banquet rooms accommodate up to 200 for banquets and theater seating, 300 for receptions, and 100 for classroom seating.

The Kahala Hilton was just the right size for finance ministers from 17 countries and 200 members of the international media who came to cover the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) meeting last March. "Hawaii is a natural place to hold high-level, international, trade-specific, and Asia-Pacific-focused meetings," observes Bob Lees, international director general of the Pacific Basin Economic Council. U.S. Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen seemed to agree, saying Hawaii was a "great place for the East and West to come together."

Groups that book in 1995 at the Kahala Hilton will enjoy sparkling new facilities because the hotel plans a total remodeling of guest rooms, restaurants, reception areas, and meeting space.