Bridal Fair/Venue Overview: Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Saturday I went to the bridal fair that was held at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.  It was a little on the small side (at least compared to the one I went to at the Hawai'i Convention Center in Honolulu), but it was helpful and there was some yummy food :)  It was held in the Moku'ola Ballroom (not sure if that should actually be Mokuola, but I digress...) which is really quite lovely and is a pretty perfect reception venue.  The expo was fairly successful in presenting venues, both ones we all know and others a little more off the beaten path.  I'll be giving short overviews of some of the venues and vendors showcased at the bridal fair.  The first venue up is, fittingly, the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel :)

• Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
• Mala Ikena Room:
• Capacity: 
• Dinner/Banquet: 70-80 with Queen's Court (HHH's restaurant) buffet or 60-70 with "in-room" buffet 
• Capacity ranges from 28-110 depending on what you require of the room (e.g. 28 for a "U" shape room, 110 for theater style), but for a wedding/reception I'm assuming dinner/banquet would be the best.
• Cost: $300 rental fee + $150 set-up fee/deposit*
• Moku'ola Ballroom:
• Capacity:
• Dinner & Dance: 310
• Lū'au: 400
• Stand-Up Cocktail: 600
• Cost: $900 rental fee + $275 set-up fee/deposit*
• Ballroom may be broken up into:
• Moku'ola I: 
• Capacity:
• Dinner & Dance: 160
• Lū'au: 200
• Stand-Up Cocktail: 300
• There are a few other capacity types listed, but those listed above are the ones I think are relevant.
• Description:
• "When the dividers are employed the Moku'ola Ballroom is transformed into two separate banquet rooms. Located on the oceanfront, Moku'ola No. 1 is adjacent to the outdoor foyer and provides approximately 2,500 square feet of meeting space." (Hilo Hawaiian Hotel Banquet Guide)
• Cost: $450 rental fee + $175 set-up fee/deposit*
• Moku'ola II:
• Capacity:
• Same as Moku'ola I
• Description:
• "Also situated on the oceanfront adjacent to the hotel’s  swimming  pool  is  Moku'ola  Ballroom  No. 2  with  an  approximate  available square footage  of 2,500." (again, HHH Banquet Guide)
• Cost: $450 rental fee + $175 set-up fee/deposit*
• Moku'ola Breezeway:
• Capacity:
• No information on size, but it isn't a huge space.  Nice and breezy, though ;)
• Description:
• "The attractive open-air, covered breezeway adjacent to the Moku'ola Ballroom offers a unique, oceanfront space for event registration, meeting breaks, cocktail service for private parties, wedding ceremonies and receptions.  It can be reserved as an addition to the Moku'ola Ballroom or as an event location itself." (I'm sure you know by now...)
• Cost: $250 rental fee + $100 set-up fee/deposit*
• Sliding Scale for Banquet/Meeting Rooms:
• If your food/beverage cost comes out to 1.5 times the cost of the room, HHH will discount the rental price by 50% (e.g. the Mala Ikena room is $300 but will only be $150 if you spend $450 on food).
• If your food/beverage cost comes out to 2 times (or more, I'm assuming) the cost of the room, HHH will waive the rental fee (e.g. $600 of food/beverage in the Mala Ikena room will get you a free room!).
• *Set-up fee/deposit applies when room fees are waived.
• This is a little confusing in HHH's banquet guide.  I am understanding this as you do NOT pay the set-up fee/deposit if you ARE getting your rental fee waived (i.e. you spend double the room's rental fee on food/beverage).  So you DO pay the set-up fee/deposit if you ARE NOT getting the room price waived...right? :/
• Links to more information:
• Overview of meeting facilities at HHH (room dimensions, capacities, etc.)
• HHH Banquet Guide (because I haven't linked it enough yet...includes pricing, room layouts, etc.)
• HHH Wedding Brochure (mostly just some info on wedding packages)

Bridal Fair July 7

Bridal fair this Saturday (July 7) in Hilo!  Not a whole lot of vendors, but looks like at least two in the makeup/styling category which is good since it tends to be difficult to get information online about those guys.  Also a fashion show!  Should be fun!  Go here for more information: http://kbigfm.com/page/Bridal_Fair/137.