MYTH BUSTERS: “Hawaii has this kind of ‘jungle tropics’ myth,” Rohde said, “which brings with it an implication of jungle simplicity or of savagery almost. But if you go look at the actual objects created by Hawaiians, there’s an extraordi- nary degree of elegance and refinement and finish. In order to be harmonious with Hawaiian art, our own design has to have this quality.”
there? What’s our purpose? If we were a movie about ourselves and I was watching that movie, I have to kind of know these characters [and] where they’re going. I can tell what kind of story this is. So I tend to look for some real narrative clarity:Whoare we? Why are we here? What are we trying to accomplish by doing the job we have to do? A place like Aulani, I could imagine business leaders using
how leaders might want to get a group of people to think. At the same time, of course, there’s the complete reverse of
that—this wonderful release, to be able to get out in these envi- ronments that are so beautiful and so relaxing, and to just release into them so you can come back refreshed and dive into what- ever you have to do. Which I think will work very well.
When you attend a meeting or conference, what are you looking to get out of the experience? I’m looking for something I can use. I’m sitting here, I’ve invested my time and energy. I’ve come, right?Myears are perked up for, what can I take from here that I can transform into something that will change or inform or improve the way I’m doing what- ever it is I need to do? Also, you want to find people.We all get locked into the com-
the site itself, using the imagery, using the objects and the art at hand, to kick off, to guide, to inspire meetings and conver- sations that might take place in this conference room, because it is very rich with inspirational detail. So much of Hawaiian culture has to do with purpose, with working together, with a very conscious and responsible way of taking action. There’s some actual relevance to the culture itself and how it thinks and
munities that form around our businesses.We see these peo- ple every day, they all have ideas, they talk to each other about the same ideas, and it is difficult to stimulate yourself with new ideas if you don’t meet new people. So the other thing about these temporary huge assemblies are the new people that you can meet. Invariably I find myself sitting—usually in a bar— until about two in the morning, having someconversation with somebody, on and on. Ideas are going, which is great. And you comeaway really inspired and really pumped up, usually think- ing things you had never stopped to think before.
Christopher Durso is executive editor of Convene. pcma convene June 2011 79