Talk Story with an Advertiser: Event Center at Arc of Hilo
The Event Center at Arc of Hilo offers customers a spacious, modern venue for wedding receptions, graduations, birthday parties, conferences, and celebrations of life.
The Arc of Hilo started in 1954, serving youth and adults with disabilities. Their event center was built in 2015 with state and foundation funding, intended to be a job creation center for people with disabilities. It’s fulfilling its purpose as a premier event center, with over 4,000 guests served so far in 2022, and eight individuals with developmental disabilities working in various support roles, including event set-up, parking support, and security.
After more than two years of pandemic restrictions being lifted, the staff has quickly learned how to create memorable events, including partnering with a catering company, Pacific Mix Catering. They also offer all-day access, and use of their commercial kitchen to every customer. Their add-on packages include a new high-end sound system, as well as a dinnerware package that includes a fancy-folded linen napkin.
Robert Efford, Chief Executive Officer shares, “We believe the Event Center at Arc of Hilo is the only nonprofit event venue supported by youth and adults with developmental disabilities in Hawai‘i. We are inspired by organizations like Pride Industries in California, creating thousands of jobs for people with disabilities by creatively running diverse social enterprises, and finding new ways for people with disabilities to find meaningful work outside of traditional options, such as janitorial work.”
The Event Center at the Arc of Hilo strives to be the premier destination venue in East Hawai‘i. Offering a full range of onsite services, including event live-streaming and recording, lighting, and event coordination services provides diverse job opportunities for young adults with developmental disabilities, and helps train them in all aspects of venue services. Robert shares, “Ultimately, Arc of Hilo would like to partner with Hawai‘i Community College to offer a joint certificate program in hospitality, where their transitioning students will be able to gain work experience that is also credit-worthy, and will lead to long term careers, not just here at the Arc of Hilo, but in hotels and other outside venues across the state and mainland.”
Robert’s goal is to fill the event center during the week with conferences and meetings, which is why they have a range of high-end technology support. He says, “The biggest obstacle is staffing back-to-back weekend and evening events, which is why we want more people to know it’s available for weekday use. The staff appreciates the generous support of the community toward the Arc of Hilo and its mission!
Event Center at Arc of Hilo
1099 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo
808.464.6111
arcofhilo.org/reservation-center
