Special Events

Waikiki Community Center coordinates unique events throughout the year to raise unrestricted funds for our programs and services.

WCC Duke Kahanamoku Challenge 2011 (formerly known as WCC Ala Wai Challenge) is Sunday, January 23, 2011 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Duke's Beach and Lagoon. 9am-4pm

The 26th Annual WCC Duke Kahanamoku Challenge presented by Hilton Hawaiian Village is scheduled on Sunday, January 23, 2011 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Duke's Beach and Lagoon. Proceeds from this event support programs and services for families, children, and senior adults who live, work and visit Waikiki.

The Duke Kahanamoku Challenge is a fun, family and corporate event for the whole community, all ages! First established in 1985 as a community service project by the Waikiki Jaycees, the event is now positioned as the signature sports fundraising event benefiting the Waikiki Community Center (WCC). This year marks the event's 26th year anniversary with lots of exciting and fun activities and entertainment planned. Fun for the whole family, mark your calendar now. Local businesses, hotels, and community groups are invited to participate in the day of fun and competition which includes:

Quarter-mile (1/4 mile) canoe sprint race in Duke's Beach (Canoes, paddles and steersman provided, if needed).
Ancient Hawaiian Makahiki land games.
Huki Kaula (Hawaiian Tug-of-War). Exciting to watch!
New this year! Invitational Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) 4-man Relay in Duke's Lagoon! $2000 per team.
Celebrity entertainmet - non stop entertainment from two stages!
Craft and Hawaiian Artist Fair
Food Booth with ethnic menus
Exhibits and informational booth about 'Green' and keeping our environment healthy.

The event kicks off with a double-hulled canoe procession, in 'oli (chant) and Kahiko (ancient hula and song) by the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Ensemble class. Following the opening ceremonies, a special line-up of entertainment is planned from two stages! Hula, Tahitian and celebrity talent!

The fee to sponsor a 12-person team (6 to canoe, 6 to compete in Makahiki Game) includes lunch, snacks, all entrance fees and an event t-shirt for each team member is $600 a team when paid by December 10 or $ 650 after. Stand-Up Paddle Relay is $2000 per team.

2011 Honorees - Pi'ianaia Family and Mau Piailug for their invaluable contributions and recognition of ocean watersports and Polynesian navigation.

Call 923-1802 for team sponsorship fees. All canoes and stand up boards are provided courtesy of Waikiki Beach Activities and Kamehameha Schools as well as game equipment. Steersmen and additional canoe paddlers are also available to assist during the canoe race, if needed. Please let us know.

The public is invited to come and play the Makahiki games for a small nominal donation that helps the Waikiki Community Center. Food booths, lomi-lomi massage, and unique Hawaiian craft vendors will be open to the public on the Great Lawn at Hilton Hawaiian Village. Free water taxi across the Duke Lagoon throughout the day. And, of course, watching the races and competition is free! Fabulous entertainment from two stages starting at 9 a.m. with the Royal Hawaiian Band.

Parking is available at Hawaii Convention Center with free shuttle to/from the Hilton Hawaiian Village, event site.

For team registration, contact Jeff Apaka, Event Coordinator at 923-1802 x109 or jeff@waikikicommunitycenter.org. Craft and exhibitors ~ Contact Denice Keliikoa for Sponsorship or Craft application form. (Return to top)

Na Mea Makamae o Waikiki 2010 was held at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel Hawaii Ballroom on Friday, August 27, 2010 attended by over 750 special guests. Kahiau honorees are: William K.H. Mau and Jean & William K.H. Mau Foundation, Waikiki Improvement Association and Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa for their invaluable contributions to Waikiki Community Center and the visitor industry. A special international culinary menu with fabulous silent and live auction with one of kind travel packages (International and Domestic airline tickets & hotel packages), unique custom jewelry, designer bags and golf/dining packages were auctioned off! Unique auction items, great prices!

Event Chair: Salah Ihsan, Director of Finance at Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Table Sales Chair: Eric Hamaguchi, Executive Project Director, M Waikiki
Silent Auction Chair: David Lewin, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa.
Live Auction Chair: Teri Matsukawa, Principal, Solutions Dynamics Pacific LLC
Stage Manager: Gary Manago, President of Restaurant Consultant & Restaurants Hawaii LLC
Entertainment provided by Polynesian Cultural Center, Ginny Tiu, Noly Pa'a, and George Kuo.
Leadership Committee: Barbara Campbell (Outrigger Enterprises Group), Vicky Cayetano (United Laundry), Eric Hamaguchi (M Waikiki/W Edition), Jason Ito (Kyo-ya Management Co. LLC), Paul Kosasa (ABC Stores), Leona Naka'ahiki (Pleasant Holidays), Dale Ruff (Louis Vuitton Hawaii), Helene "Sam" Shenkus (Royal Hawaiian Center), Bob Taylor (Maui Divers), Susan Todani (Kamehameha Schools), Noel Trainor (Savoy Consulting), Monet Trespeses (Philippine Airlines), Vivian Tsuji (Soroptimist International Hawaii), Gregory Valen (Toshiba Business Solutions), Roger Wall (Foodland Stores), Sharon Weiner (DFS Hawaii), Steve Williams (First Hawaiian Bank)

Table Sales: $1500 (sold out), $3000, $5000, $10,000 and $20,000 with individual seats at $175. For reservations, please contact Denice Keliikoa, Director of Development at WCC at (808) 923-1802 ext. 108 or email.

Check out a sample of our Fabulous Auction Items! (Subject to change and based on availability and restrictions. Full copies of certificates available at event.)

Presidential Suite and Private Dinner Party for 8 at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa with a Six (6) course special dinner menu prepared by Chef Hiroshi with Wine Pairings by Alan Suzuki with Constellation Wines USA! Spend two (2) nights in this Presidential Suite and enjoy the Hyatt ammenities and VIP treatment! Total Luxury!
New York! New York! Round trip (coach) on Continental Airlines for two with a four (4) night stay at the famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel!
Hong Kong Escape! Travel Business Class on Philippine Airlines to Hong Kong and stay five (5) nights at the luxurious JW Marriott Hong Kong for two!
Fun in Singapore! Business class for two (2) on Phillippine Airlines, Honolulu to Signapore with a two (2) night stay in a luxurious Centinnial Premier Suite with breakfast daily at Oscar's.
One of a Kind Private Dining Experience at the Halekulani Hotel - in The Orchid Suite! This 2,365 square-foot retreat is enveloped by panoramic views of Diamond Head and the lulling shoreline of world-famous Waikiki Beach. Set apart from the historic Main Building, The Orchid Suite is situated oceanfront with floor-to-ceiling doors opening to private lawns and an open-air trellised lounge; environs which applaud the panoramic views of Waikiki. The interiors are artfully designed in calming tones so as to showcase the dramatic and vibrant palate of paradise. The master suite affords guests a spectacular view of Diamond Head; the entertainment lounge showcases the world’s first Steinway & Sons Model M in-room hotel home theater by Steinway Lyngdorf and the en-suite master bath features a steam shower, deep steeping therapy pool and a cold plunge tub with calming garden views. PLUS! Special dinner for eight prepared by Executive Chef Vikram Gard.
Weekend Fun in San Francisco! Round trip for two on coach class with two(2) night stay at the Hyatt Regency at Fisherman's Wharf and two night stay at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square with breakfast each day! Board the fun Napa Vallley Wine Train for winery tour (and sampling) of wine!
Designer handbags, golf packages, neighbor island trips, dining certificates and much more! Stay tuned for updates!

Ala Wai Challenge 2010

WCC 25th Ala Wai Challenge - Sunday, January 24, 2010

The 25th Annual WCC Ala Wai Challenge was held on Sunday, January 24, 2010 at Ala Wai Neighborhood Park for Waikiki Community Center (WCC). Proceeds from this event supported programs and services for families, children, and senior adults who live, work and visit Waikiki.

The Ala Wai Challenge is a fun, family event for the whole community, all ages! First established in 1985 as a community service project by the Waikiki Jaycees, the event is now positioned as the signature sports fundraising event benefiting the Waikiki Community Center (WCC). This year marks the event's 25th year anniversary with lots of exciting and fun activities and entertainment planned. Fun for the whole family, mark your calendar now. Local businesses and community groups are invited to participate in the day of fun and competition which includes:

Quarter-mile canoe sprint race in Ala Wai Canal (canoes provided).
Ancient Hawaiian Makahiki land games.
Huki Kaula (Hawaiian Tug-of-War).
Celebrity entertainment
Craft and Hawaiian Artist Fair
Food Booths with ethnic menus
Exhibits and informational booth about 'Green' and keeping our environment healthy.

The fee to sponsor a 12-person team (6 to canoe, 6 to play Makahiki) includes lunch, snacks, all entrance fees and an event t-shirt for each team members is $420 a team when paid by December 10 or $$480 after. Call 923-1802 for team sponsorship fees. All canoes are provided courtesy of Kamehameha Schools as well as game equipment. The public is invited to come and play the Makahiki games for a small nominal donation that helps the Waikiki Community Center. Food booths, lomi-lomi massage, and unique Hawaiian craft vendors will be open to the public. Free water taxi, from Waikiki to event site and back. And, of course, watching the races and competition is free!

For sponsorship opportunities or team registration, contact Jeff Apaka, Event Coordinator at 923-1802 x109 or jeff@waikikicommunitycenter.org. Craft and exhibitors ~ Contact Denice Keliikoa for an application form. More info about Ala Wai Challenge - click here.

Visitor Industry Charity Walk, 3rd Saturday in May each year

Form a team and join WCC staff and members for the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk (VICW). This event is held the 3rd Saturday of each May starting at McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Beach Park at 7:00 a.m. Leisure walk through Waikiki stopping to enjoy the many treats and snacks provided by the hotels, shops and sponsors along the 6-mile walk. Start collecting pledges to fulfill the $35 registration fee and turn in at WCC office. Lots of fun and helping the thousands of charities in Hawaii! Call Jeff at WCC (808) 923-1802 for a race packet.