Neal S. Blaisdell Center
Commencement guidelines
(HONOLULU, HI – May 1, 2022) – Blaisdell Center would like to extend our congratulations to the class of 2022. Commencement is a milestone for graduates, their families and their friends. We ask that all graduates and guests respect the importance of this occasion by cooperating with the schools and the graduation rules of the Blaisdell Center.
For the safety and security of all guests and graduates, please follow the instructions of the venue personnel and security staff before, during and after commencement. Only guest with a commencement ticket will be allowed into the Exhibition Hall for lei greeting. Priority to enter the Exhibition Hall for the lei greeting will be given to those attending the ceremony. If the Exhibition Hall has reached capacity we will ask guests to wait until others have left before allowing more family and friends to enter. Those coming just for lei greeting are encouraged to come later to avoid congestion on the concourses and a prolonged wait time.
As a reminder, here are the rules as they pertain to graduation at the Blaisdell Center. Please check with the individual school about specific rules or items not listed below:
- All packages are subject to search. Large bags may be denied entry if they won’t fit or contain unsuitable items.
- No Aisles can be obstructed.
- All packages, gifts, lei, posters, etc. must fit on lap or under the seat.
- Size allowance for signs and banners is 3ft x4 ft. Photos and wording should be appropriate and are subject to review. Signs should fit in your lap and cannot obstruct walkway/aisles
- No sticks, pipes, rods – posters cannot be mounted for safety reasons.
- No strollers inside the seating areas – strollers must be checked with the usher staff.
- No balloons
- No tripods
- No drones
- No laser pointers
- No noisemakers or air horns
- No silly string, confetti or confetti cannons
- No outside food or beverages - including steel water bottles
- No tailgating/picnicking in the parking structure, grass areas or on walkways.
For more information, please contact your school or Blaisdell administration at 768-5400.
IMPORTANT
Meet the Graduates/Lei Greeting Plan:
- Meet the graduates/lei greeting guests MUST have a Commencement ticket for entry. No ticket, no entry, no exceptions.
- Be aware that certain doors are designated for entrance or exit only.
- Arena floor ticketed guests will be allowed into the Exhibition Hall first.
- Arena upper-level ticketed guests will be allowed into the Exhibition Hall second.
- Guests only attending the lei greeting will enter via the Exhibition Hall East Concourse doorway and will enter AFTER all guests from the arena have entered the Exhibition Hall. Mahalo for your patience.
- Lei greeting will begin at approximately 6:30 pm and will end at 8:00 pm.
- UPDATE! Students not allowed onto other areas around the NBC property to meet families and must remain in the designated area for lei greeting.
- If students leave the Ex. Hall lei greeting area, they will not be allowed to return and will not be allowed to participate in Project Graduation.
- NOTE: While we embrace all cultural forms of celebration, we kindly ask ‘ohana to limit their congratulations for their graduate to lei only (no musical instruments or elaborate cultural displays allowed).
