First Hawaiian International Auto Show

The First Hawaiian MotorCon (formerly First Hawaiian International Auto Show) is an annual auto show held every year between the middle week of March and the first week of April in Honolulu, Hawaii. The event takes place at the Hawaii Convention Center (near the Ala Moana Center), whose location site was once the location of a Chevrolet dealership, Aloha Motors. The event, affiliated with the Motor Trend regional auto show circuit since 2000, is produced by the Hawaii Automotive Dealers Association (HADA) and sponsored by First Hawaiian Bank, with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser serving as the media sponsor. The recent event, going into its 42nd year, was planned for March 27-29, 2020. Hawaii Governor David Ige announced at his press conference March 17, that he is closing the Hawaii Convention Center for 30 days to limit social contact in light of recent community spread of Covid-19 virus infections. The auto show was cancelled for 2020, but returned for February 2022.

Event background

The idea to organize the auto show began in 1978, when First Hawaiian and HADA collaborated on a plan to improve FHB's relationships with dealers and build its image and business. The inaugural show that year drew 67,000 visitors and helped generate business for both the bank and the dealerships. The event, later adding the "International" name to its title in 2000, allows HADA-affiliated dealerships in the state of Hawaii and the automakers themselves to showcase the latest cars, crossovers, trucks, vans, and SUVs to Hawaiian residents, military/DOD/civilian personnel and dependents, car enthusiasts, and tourists (especially from Asia and Oceania). Most of the vehicles showcased are from the dealerships themselves, although a handful of display and concept models will directly come from the companies, which they have shipped by sea or cargo plane weeks in advance of the show because of Hawaii's geographical location.