Kawaii Kon

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Kawaii Kon
Kawaii Kon logo.
Venue Hawaii Convention Center
Location Honolulu, Hawaii
Country Flag of the United States United States
First held 2005
Attendance 2,925 in 2007
Official website

Kawaii Kon is an anime convention geared towards Japanese animation and comics held in the Honolulu area.

Kawaii Kon was founded by Gamers Evolution Expo, LLC., a company started by Stan Dahlin, Marlon Stodghill and Scott Richardson. Dahlin is a Hawaii native himself, who was at the time based out of Atlanta, Georgia.[1] As for why they decided to bring an anime convention to Hawaii, taken from the website: "Being a transplanted local boy living far away from home for a better part of a decade or more, I'm very proud to be hosting this show in my home state. You ask why? A number of reasons but to simply state it.... I love anime!"[2]

Kawaii Kon was the first anime convention to be held in Hawaii, and remains the only such event in the state.[3] Local support for the convention by fans in the event's first year resulted in a surprising attendance level that surpassed the staff's expectations.

Kawaii Kon currently has AMV and anime screenings; industry, fan, and guest panels; Hall Cosplay contests, Masquerade/Cosplay Competitions, Art Shows,Artist Alley Contests, Concerts, Dances, and Karaoke, along with Video and Role Playing games, autographs, and a Dealer's Room.[4]

[edit] History

[edit] Event history

Dates Location Atten. Guests
April 22–24, 2005 Ala Moana Hotel
Honolulu, Hawaii		 1,903 S. Kai Bovaird, Robert DeJesus, Kaveh Kardan, Monica Rial, Stephanie Sheh, and David Williams.[5]
April 14–16, 2006 Ala Moana Hotel
Honolulu, Hawaii		 2,610 S. Kai Bovaird, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus,Yoko Ishida, Jin Kobayashi, Vic Mignogna, Monica Rial, Stan Sakai, Sean Schemmel, Stephanie Sheh, Mike Sinterniklaas, and David Williams.[6][7]
April 27–29, 2007 Hawaii Convention Center
Honolulu, Hawaii		 2,925 Christine Auten, Greg Ayres, Steve Blum, Luci Christian, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Brittney Karbowski, Vic Mignogna, Monica Rial, Chris Sabat, Stephanie Sheh, Mike Sinterniklaas, David Williams, and Travis Willingham.[4][8]
April 18–20, 2008 Hawaii Convention Center
Honolulu, Hawaii		 Colleen Clinkenbeard, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, The Emeralds, Tiffany Grant, Mari Iijima, Vic Mignogna, Yuko Miyamura, Monica Rial, Rosearik Rikki Simons, David Williams, and Tavisha Wolfgarth-Simons[9][10]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Yadao, Jason S. (2005-04-21), “Anime-niacs”, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, <http://starbulletin.com/2005/04/21/features/story1.html>. Retrieved on 11 September 2007 
  2. ^ Kawaii Kon FAQ. Kawaii Kon (2007-04-08). Retrieved on 2007-04-08.
  3. ^ Paiva, Derek (April 22, 2005), “Ah, anime! Three-day convention opens today”, Honolulu Advertiser 
  4. ^ a b Kawaii Kon 2007 Information. AnimeCons.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
  5. ^ Kawaii Kon 2005 Information. AnimeCons.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
  6. ^ Kawaii Kon 2006 Information. AnimeCons.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
  7. ^ Yadao, Jason S. (2006-04-14), “For The Love of Anime”, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, <http://starbulletin.com/2006/04/14/features/story01.html>. Retrieved on 11 September 2007 
  8. ^ Yadao, Jason S. (2007-04-27), “Serious About Cosplaying”, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, <http://starbulletin.com/2007/04/27/features/story01.html>. Retrieved on 11 September 2007 
  9. ^ Kawaii Kon 2008 Information. AnimeCons.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
  10. ^ Yadao, Jason S. (2008-02-11), “Kawaii Kon finalizes 2008 guest roster (Cel Shaded column)”, Honolulu Star-Bulletin 13 (42), <http://starbulletin.com/2008/02/11/features/yadao.html>. Retrieved on 8 April 2008