Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

The Hawaii Regional Planning Committee had its first meeting this evening and one of the questions that came up was, "What can we do to have more teams join us from the mainland?" We know things such as the poor economy and being the same week as two large West Coast regionals (well, one large and one jumbo) are not in our favor. We'd love to hear any thoughts as to what your team might want/need to see in order to help make coming to the Hawaii Regional a reality.

Thanks all!

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

I think it would be useful to collaborate with the tourism people and put together an e-brochure or specialty website that tell about the benefits (FIRST and non-FIRST) of going to Hawaii, what to expect, getting around, accommodations, etc.

We have talked about it for a couple of years but for us to have a more serious discussion we need to have more facts on the table. It is on our todo list. It would be awesome if we could spend the week there.

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

I've said it before and I'll say it again: The Hawaii regional is a fantastic one, and it's well worth attending. The people are friendly, the venue is nice, and the teams are competitive. I attended with 968 in 2008. If anyone has any specific questions, send me a PM. I'd be happy to answer them.

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

I know in my teams case ,we have been wanting to go to the Hawaii regional for a few years now. The issue this year is that, like you said, we have a local regional the same weekend. Alongside this we are usually over weight on our shipping so sending the robot to Hawaii would be mighty pricey, but theirs not much you guys can do about that. Hope this helped at least a little bit.

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

For our team, the issue is purely and simply financial.

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

Finances and Number of Spots (if thats still an issue). I know we tried to go the first year, and there were only 5 spots available for "mainland" teams. We had a huge push to go that year, so when we didn't make it in, I think the enthusiasm died.

To raise enough money for flights, take the extra needed time off to travel, and to fund hotel rooms in a rather expensive destination is more expensive than going to championships, so its tough. Hawaii is a wonderful place, and the teams are great, but until it can be a cheaper location to get to, its going to be hard to get many other than west coast teams.

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

The committee realizes that cost is 99.9% of the reason.

It is with the hope that if teams are interested in attending, that we help in other costs such as hotel (housing accomodations), transportation to and from venue, and a host of other hidden costs.
It would be quite reasonable for the committee to possibly setup shuttles for teams to be picked up to and from the event, cover the cost of meals such as the regional did last year, and continue to deliver reasonable prices from vendors at the event. Some hotels have already offered proposals for special pricing to help with the FIRST event.
If any teams are seriously interested in attending, send your questions via PM, and we can relay them to the committee to address.

The event promised to be one of the best again, with a great team social that other regionals are slowly NOT offering anymore due to the economy.

Make this your excuse to finally visit Hawaii if you havent done so yet.:)

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

Its kind of funny that all the reasons listed are the things we've been bringing up for years about Hawaii teams going to the Mainland to compete. For those of us on the other Islands we still have the same issues of transportation (Interisland airfare, rental car), meals and housing. We're hoping to have enough money left after our trip to compete in the Japan Microbots competition but its not looking good. The darn Yen is way down this year.

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

If you are wavering, the islands are beautiful and the people are just like family. ALOHA! Glenn and everyone in Hawaii.

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

Al,
so when are the wildstangs ever going to make it to the HI regional?
Or see you and Raul volunteer for this event.

I promise to sign up for the midwest if you folks sign up here one day.;)

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

Glenn,
Dottie and I may make it sometime in the future. Wildstang can only attend those events we can drive to.

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

Pretty simple. $700 a person for flights from Indy.

We would love to go to Hawaii but we have enough trouble raising enough cash for entry fees and domestic travel.

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

If the Hawaii Regional coincided with March break for Canadian schools they might be tempted. I know we would be, Montreal in February/March is pretty darn cold. We always joke about one day attending the "two-week Hawaii Regional." (It's a long way to go for just three days spent hunkered down in the pit.)

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

I don't know if this will help, but we are planning to bring koalas!

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

Koalas always help. Now if you can just get a kangaroo...

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

Last year we brought three of those as well. This year at least one should be coming along!!! :yikes:

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

Hey 25 would be there in an instant but unfortunately this year the Easter break was so late and we couldn't swing the money for a short weekend adventure. Maybe next year if the event falls on the weekend adjoining our spring break we will come out again.

Our trip out there a few years ago was a real highlight for all of us. Even if you don't win on the field you won by just being there. We all agree it is time to send the shirts home one more time.

WC

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

we also had a great time when we attended the hawaiian regional - money seems to be the biggest issue and of course, no one wants to go to hawaii for just a couple of days - we need more time on the island to experience the wonderful spirit!

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

I would LOVE to go to Hawaii. Would want to stay a month which conflicts with our local regional. :)

For east cost teams, their are two issues: Time required to travel (9+ hours each way) and cost. Since there is not much that can be done on travel time, we are stuck with considering ways to reduce travel, accommodation costs.

Discounts on hotels have been discussed. What about discount on airfare or a chartered flight for multiple teams from say Chicago, St. Louis, or Dallas? Even west cost may help. 4-8 teams on a single flight sounds like a party to me.

Another option that is done at some off season events is a lock in. Not necessarily at the event venue, but at a nearby school or civic building to avoid the hotel cost altogether. Just need to have space, cots and teams bring their own chaperones.

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

Our team discussed offering such an option to mainland teams at the beginning of our school year. We were unsure how to fairly make the offer, but I guess it could come up again. Unfortunately, we aren't THAT close to the competition site (about 9 miles), but we are located fairly close to the airport.

Sooo, just throwing this option out as a POSSIBLE solution...any interest? Questions? Feel free to PM me.

FYI, school is called Moanalua High School if you want to see the location.

Re: Anyone teams for some aloha?
 

Mahalo everyone for your input. I'll be taking this information back to our committee to help us plan for this and future seasons!

Aloooooha...