Dear Colleagues,
We convene in Hawaii shortly! I hope you are all looking forward to it as much as I am! In preparation for our meeting, let me share a few pieces of information with you.
The final program has been posted on the website. In keeping with past practice, we do not supply printed programs at the conference. Please print yours or download it to your mobile device before you leave.
If you have not done so, you may wish to book your shuttle to and from the airport soon. The Society has contract with Roberts Hawaii for a reduced rate. This is bookable online in advance: http://www.robertshawaii.com/sssr2015/ using the promo code SSSR2015 at checkout. You can select either the Hapuna Beach Prince or the Hilton Waikoloa Village (overflow hotel) from this site.
Many flights arrive late in the evening. The kitchens at the hotel, including room service, closes at 10pm. There are sometimes sandwiches available for purchase, but they may be sold out when you arrive. So you may want to make sure you grab a snack at your destination airport if you are arriving late.
Rental cars are available at the airport. If you wish to book later after you have already left the airport, it may be possible to do this at the hotel. The Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel partners with Hertz. The Hertz fleet is not large and if you think you want to do this, you are strongly advised to make a reservation in advance by calling the Pleasant Holidays LLC desk at the hotel: 803-882-1523.
Breakfast and a box lunch are provided on the three main days of the conference. The student preconference also includes a box lunch.
Our hotel concessions include free internet in the sleeping and meeting rooms, waived resort fee, and free self-parking. We receive a 10% discount on green fees at Hapuna Golf Club and Ocean Sports rental at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Valet parking is $25 per day. There are no excursions planned through SSSR, but the concierge at the Hapuna (or the Hilton) can help you find a perfect outing; the Big Island has amazing natural resources and there are many activities that you could choose to do in your leisure time.
Guests at the HBP have signing privileges at their sister hotel, the Mauna Kea Beach Resort for food and beverage services. A complimentary dinner shuttle runs a continuous loop between the HBP and the Mauna Kea Beach Resort, beginning at 5:30pm and ending at 9:50pm. As always, dinner reservations are highly recommended. Golf and spa services are available at both hotels.
There is a 15-person shuttle that runs from the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel to the Queens’ Marketplace www.queensmarketplace.com and Kings’ Shops www.kingsshops.com on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. This is another option for dining; there is also a supermarket if you wish to stick your minifridge. Shuttles leave the HBP on the hour beginning at 4pm, with the last one at 9pm. Shuttles pick up at the shopping area on the half hour, beginning at 4:30, with the last one at 9:30. Seats on the shuttle are first-come, first served; tickets ($5 each way) can be bought from the front desk.
If you have purchased tickets to the luau, you will find an event bracelet(s) in your registration package. This bracelet is required for getting on the bus that will take you to the luau, and required for entry into the luau grounds. Please note: we will be leaving for the luau immediately following the end of the presidential address. Please bring everything you wish to take with you to the luau to the Presidential Address so that we can load the buses promptly. The luau is held on the grounds of the Mauna Kea, approximately one mile away and starts at 6pm.
If you are staying at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, our overflow hotel, there is a Roberts Hawaii shuttle that will meet you at the Hilton lower lobby and bring you to the conference hotel, and return you after the days’ sessions have ended. The schedule is as follows:
Wednesday July 15 pick-up to Hapuna 8:15am (student preconference)
Wednesday July 15 pick-up to Hapuna 4:00pm (welcome reception)
Wednesday July 15 return to Hilton 7:15pm
Thursday July 16 pick-up to Hapuna 7:00am
Thursday July 16 return to Hilton 6:00pm
Friday July 17 pick-up to Hapuna 7:00am
Friday July 17 return to Hilton 5:30pm
Friday July 17 return to Hilton 9:15pm (for those attending luau)
Saturday July 18 pick-up to Hapuna 7:00am
Saturday July 18 return to Hilton 3:45pm
Sales tax in Hawaii is 4.166%. At the time of writing, the 14-day forecast showed high temperatures in the low 80s (F)/mid 20s (C). Don’t forget your sunscreen!
Aloha – see you soon!