Can you say Hau’oli? It’s one word you need to know in light of the upcoming National Onion Association Convention, which is happening Nov. 28-Dec. 2 on the island of Maui.
This year’s event is at the Grand Wailea Waldorf Astoria Resort, the convention, and our friends at the NOA let us know that rooms are very tight. If you’re wanting to go, contact David Holgerson, Group Reservations Supervisor, directly at 1-808-875-1234 Ext. 3166 or email: david.holgerson@waldorfastoria.com. If you find yourself unable to reserve a room due to availability, contact Sharla at the NOA office 1-970-353-5895 or email her at sjohnston@onions-usa.org to request placement on the waiting list.
If rooms become available, it will be assigned per the waiting list.
The convention kicks off with registration on Wednesday, Nov. 28, and the opening reception that evening from 6-8:30 p.m.
Thursday will feature the breakfast and committee meetings, as well as recreational golf at the Wailea Golf Club’s Emerald Course.
A Makawao Reception and BBQ is slated for Thursday evening, 6:30-9:30.
Friday’s 8-9 a.m. breakfast includes “Food Conversations” with Michele Payn facilitating an interactive discussion with a panel of consumers. From 9:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. is the Kula Ag Tour and Luncheon, taking in a commercial grower’s onion field as well as the Maui Experiment Station Sweet Onion Variety Trial.
And Saturday’s scheduled events include the 8-9 a.m. Breakfast with Vince Kimura discussing how “New Technology Shapes Business.” The 9-9:30 general session will feature a Maui Throwdown (we’re not quite sure… but it sounds good), and the keynote seminar from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. features Michele Payn and “Translating Farm to Food.”
Saturday afternoon is open, with a mixer from 5:30-6 p.m. and the Banquet Reception from 6-7, followed by the Banquet, Awards and Sponsor Recognition.
Sunday’s closing session starts at 8 and runs through 10:30, with crop reports included.
Oh, right. Hau‘oli. That’s the Hawaiian word for happy/joy/glad, which you no doubt are if you’ve made your plans to travel to Maui in December.
View the official brochure here: https://www.onions-usa.org/img/site_specific/uploads/NOA_Maui_Convention_Brochure_2018.pdf
Complete the online registration here: http://members.onions-usa.org/site_event_detail.cfm?pk_association_event=17638
