Getting to the 2008 Honolulu Regionals doesn't require breaking the bank

[FIXIT]

The Red Dragons (Team 1270) are planning to attend!

[RoboMom]

Originally Posted by cire

Is there a danger of the robot not making it to Hawaii / back to the states in time if your doing a regional the week before or after the Hawaii one?

Back-to-back regionals involve expedited shipping charges as is. I would make sure teams ask FIRST to clarify before registering and to be clear on what the extra charges will be.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by RoboMom

Back-to-back regionals involve expedited shipping charges as is. I would make sure teams ask FIRST to clarify before registering and to be clear on what the extra charges will be.

It's probably going to be quite a bit. We were looking at over $2000 for back to back regional shipping from Ypsilanti, MI to San Jose, CA when we were registered for GLR this year, and Michigan isn't an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

[Lavapicker]

We plan on doing a fantastic regional for all those coming over to Hawaii. We hope to have an ambassador for each team to show them around and there have been lots of neat idea's for the team social. I liked the Luau idea but that could get pricey if everyone brings their aunts and uncles too. be sure to check out the robotics website :http://robotics.hawaii.gov/

We should have updates and help for those planning on coming over! My only advise is to register EARLY!!!!

Aloha,

[Chris Fultz]

Originally Posted by Budda648

I'm sure teams like 234, 233, and 25 would definitely consider this regional since they've travelled all over the US in recent years.

Why, it hasn't even been brought up.....

Gotta go, appointment with the travel agent ......

[indieFan]

For those of you that are interested in going to Hawaii, be aware that while the airline tickets may not be as expensive as expected, the hotel/motel prices and food prices will be much more than you thought.

indieFan (who was there during Thanksgiving)

[wendymom]

Ms. P of the Pink team has already approached the idea of several Florida teams chartering an airplane to get us there. That would be way fun. Between, pink, 79, 1902, Ramtech, SPAM and others we could fill a jet no problem.

[Madison]

Originally Posted by wendymom

Ms. P of the Pink team has already approached the idea of several Florida teams chartering an airplane to get us there. That would be way fun. Between, pink, 79, 1902, Ramtech, SPAM and others we could fill a jet no problem.

I'd love to know more about what you've found out about chartering a plane. We, too, have been considering how effective it might be to charter a jet in the future for teams from nearby to make it to the Championship, for example. We paid nearly $15,000 in airfare this year and doing that year after year is killing us.

[TKM.368]

Aloha fellow FIRSTers!

There is a lot of preparation taking place with regards to the Hawaii Regional next year. Many things are still up in the air, but being worked on as we speak.

The date of the regional has already been announced to be a Week 5 Regional (had to get a volleyball tournament moved to accommodate the event). It doesn't seem usual to announce the date beforehand, but it was announced in a press release by our Governor, so the word is out (not to mention the goodies the Hawaii teams passed out had the date as well). This hopefully is helpful for everyone out there with regards to planning.

If enough 'real' interest is shown, perhaps the regional can have up to 48 teams. If, however, it doesn't seem that enough teams are going to be making the trip, then the regional might only be for 32 teams. (Time to get excited people!)

One of our current members is going to be maintaining the Hawaii Robotics website robotics.hawaii.gov. More information should be available after Dean Kamen comes to visit Hawaii on May 14th (feel free to stop by the Stan Sheriff Center at the University of Hawaii at Manoa at 4pm if you just so happen to be in Hawaii on that day).

Hawaii has more hotels than motels which might be problematic. Hopefully a hotel chain will step up as a sponsor of the event and will provide a package deal for teams coming out here. Fortunately, Waikiki is just a 10 minute drive from the competition venue. There is TheBus (Route 4) which goes from Waikiki to the University of Hawaii if teams wish to utilize this method of transportation.

There's been talk of a luau for the team social - but actually, many people don't care too much for luau food like poi and pit-roasted pork. It would be helpful to hear what you folks think. Thinking Friday night might not be appropriate for the Team Social as well and perhaps Wednesday night or Saturday night would be better.

That's all I can think of for now (much of which is repeated information - sorry). We'll keep you updated when more information becomes available. Again, any comments you might have will definitely be taken into consideration.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by cire

Is there a danger of the robot not making it to Hawaii / back to the states in time if your doing a regional the week before or after the Hawaii one?

Originally Posted by TKM.368

Aloha fellow FIRSTers!

There is a lot of preparation taking place with regards to the Hawaii Regional next year. Many things are still up in the air, but being worked on as we speak.

The date of the regional has already been announced to be a Week 5 Regional (had to get a volleyball tournament moved to accommodate the event). It doesn't seem usual to announce the date beforehand, but it was announced in a press release by our Governor, so the word is out ...

And given that Week 4 is Easter weekend next year, that could further complicate the shipping. At least with the Championships a week later next year, there should be enough time to get the robots back from Honolulu to Atlanta.

Hmm, you think FIRST will offer volunteers an incentive to go?

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Originally Posted by GaryV1188

And given that Week 4 is Easter weekend next year, that could further complicate the shipping. At least with the Championships a week later next year, there should be enough time to get the robots back from Honolulu to Atlanta.

Hmm, you think FIRST will offer volunteers an incentive to go?

Oh man... that would be awesome! I'm already saving up in case my team doesn't go next year.

[Chris Fultz]

Originally Posted by wendymom

Ms. P of the Pink team has already approached the idea of several Florida teams chartering an airplane to get us there. That would be way fun. Between, pink, 79, 1902, Ramtech, SPAM and others we could fill a jet no problem.

Dear Ms. P -

Please save 40 seats and stop at Indianapolis for fuel.
We are right on the way, and the jet fuel attendants are very polite.

Signed,
Team 234

[ZachKahn]

Jim Beck approached us about the regional and we are definitely interested in going. We still need to discuss the financial and travel details that go along with it. Team 1515 will have a decision soon.

[da Marshalls]

Originally Posted by indieFan

For those of you that are interested in going to Hawaii, be aware that while the airline tickets may not be as expensive as expected, the hotel/motel prices and food prices will be much more than you thought.

indieFan (who was there during Thanksgiving)

um....I don't know where you stayed, but there are very nice family oriented hotels in the $100/per night range. They sleep 4, put you right in the heart of the city close enough to watch the surfers in the morning and walk the strip at night. As far as eats, you can eat quite nicely on a $45/day per diem.

-Deanna

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by M. Krass

I'd love to know more about what you've found out about chartering a plane. We, too, have been considering how effective it might be to charter a jet in the future for teams from nearby to make it to the Championship, for example. We paid nearly $15,000 in airfare this year and doing that year after year is killing us.

tell me about it. I was in charge of raising 18,000 just for our airfare to NJ. We spent 33,000 just for that regional including a vacation to NY, Phily, Atlantic City, etc.........with all that hotel, chartered buses, and stuff.....hehe.....
The cost of coming to Hawaii will be well worth it!!!!....especially, if you have never been here.