With its double-pitched Hawaiian roof, soaring canopies recalling Polynesian canoe sails, and steel “Palm tree” beams, this convention center embodies a modern Hawaiian Sense of Place. Its 1.1 million square feet are located on 10 acres at the gateway to Waikiki, and it has received numerous design awards, including being voted the most beautiful convention center in the world by the International Association of Exhibition and Events.

This design-build project was the largest single construction contract undertaken by the State of Hawaii. The winning contractor/architect team was selected through an international competition, in which the public was invited to vote. Nordic PCL had to guarantee costs based solely on the competition drawings, which were developed in just over two months. Despite a tight schedule of only 750 working days, the facility was turned over on budget and a month ahead of schedule.