The Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association united for the second year in a row to produce the First Hawaiian International Auto Show through the weekend of March 18-20.
First Hawaii Bank was one of the top sponsors for the show and its president and CEO, Bob Harrison, said, “More than 350 vehicles [were] showcased that would fit all lifestyles and budgets. The show offers something for everyone whether you’re enjoying a family fun day or power-shopping for your dream car.”
Brand new cars and trucks filled the convention center's main room and even spilled out into the upper halls, giving visitors a chance to sit in, touch, smell, and explore hundreds of brand new cars from this year’s model lineup.
In addition to the brand new models, various vintage car clubs had a presence at the show such as the Vintage Volkswagen Club of Hawaii, the Antique Automobile Club of America, and the Aloha Mustang and Shelby Club of Hawaii.
On top of being able to see everything from vintage race cars to million-dollar exotics, visitors were given a free year subscription to Motor Trend Magazine, a chance to win $15,000 courtesy of Motor Trend, and a free slice of pizza with their purchase of a $10 admission ticket.
Esther Candari, a junior from Kaneohe studying art and psychology, attended the show and said, “I felt much more at home in the vintage car sections because, despite their near perfect refurbishing, those cars had been around the block and had a story worth telling.”