Cup Of Joe At IUCN: $3.50
Some attendees at the World Conservation Congress expressed shock at the high cost of food and beverages at the Hawaii Convention Center.
Organizers of the  meeting in Honolulu this week urged participants to “go green” by not using paper, to bring one’s own water bottle and coffee mug and to use composting and recycling stations at the Hawaii Convention Center.
But IUCN did not indicate just how expensive it would be to eat and drink at the Congress — or maybe I missed the memo.
A cup of coffee cost me $3.50, a soda $2.75, a banana two bucks and an Ahi Confit Sandwich (basically, tuna squished between two white buns) $9.
The Paniolo Beef Stew was a better dish but still cost $11.
I managed to get hold of a catering menu for the conference provided by the convention center. Here’s a few more menu items:
- Oven Roasted Vegetable on Ciabatta, Locally Grown Whole Fruit and canned beverage, $21
- Pier 38 Salad (Fresh Island Catch, Barley, Edamame, Wakame, Pickled Radishes, Soy Vinaigrette, Locally Grown Whole Fruit and canned beverage) $21
- Cocktails (Hosted Bar) $8.25
- House Wine By The Glass (Cash Bar) $8.50
- Kona Longboard (Cash Bar) $8.50
- Sparkling Hawaii Water $5.50
A popular draw was the Tamura’s stand on the third floor. People stood in line to shell out $12 for a Poke Bowl.
(A sign advertised “Big Eye Tuna From Honolulu Auction.”)
That compares to about $9 or $10 at the Tamura’s near Civil Beat’s offices.
So much for the conservation of money and tuna.
