The Hawaiʻi Convention Center is officially under construction, but don’t hold your breath for a leak-free reopening in 2028. Lawmakers previously approved $100 million for long-overdue repairs, yet the rooftop terrace alone has already ballooned from $64 million to at least $87 million (and up to $110.5 million with contingencies). Meanwhile, a $55 million request for additional leak-related fixes was just pulled from the budget.
It’s a classic case of deferred maintenance coming home to roost. Back in 2017, this was a ~$27 million problem. Today, it’s… not. And even with all this spending, there’s still no guarantee the leaks are fully resolved. Meeting planners are paying attention, and with 2028 bookings actively being decided, the real risk isn’t just water coming through the ceiling; it’s confidence leaking out of the market. The Legislature should be focused on oversight and making sure the money is well spent, not pulling funding based on their deep expertise in construction and waterproofing (tongue firmly in cheek).
