Hawaii Comic & Toy Expo

#30 of 2017For a comic book\toy show it is very small. You can go around the 2 rooms they fill in 5min. walking slowly not stopping. Doesn't sound like much to do but there really is more than meets the eye.Admission is $3 and that's bargain cheap because in this room is a great bunch of dealers, artist and weekend warrior seller wannabes vying for your dollar. If you are a collector\fan, like me, these guys have great stories to tell of what they got. Or, how they became an artist. How they made a big score. Their run in with some of the big names of the industry. There is a wealth of first hand information that can be attained at this gathering.Sounds like you can get that at any other show right? Wrong. The other bigger shows have dealers on edge trying to figure out how to make the money they've invested into the weekend endeavor of making a profit. It will be difficult to find that friendly vendor unless you are a serious buyer with serious cash. You may not get the big names but at a show like Hawaii Comic & Toy Expo it is a friendlier atmosphere. A throwback to when Comic Cons first started. They were quirky. They were down right weird and definitely nerdy. And, that is the heart of Comic Shows. This got taken away when shows became successful. And now, there are many new shows across the country popping with this throwback to the glory days of fun.I attended this show today, May 7, 2017, with my partner\artist. I had so much fun talking to a dealer how he acquired a big score from a guy who bought a locker rich in collectibles. I didn't think that was possible here in the islands. You hear it on the mainland. Wow. We spent time with Aaron Lopresti, veteran artist of 25years, and his beautiful wife Shelly talking about art, the industry and family. We visited with Andy. Teacher extraordinaire by week, warrior artist during the weekends appearing where he can, like the Yelp's Flight Club at the Aviation Museum and at the various shows now occurring here in the islands. Then, we talked with up and coming artist, Free Isabelo. Local boy who now lives in Las Vegas. He shared his journey learning the craft and how he's breaking into the industry.There is also some great bargains to be had on all kinds of toys. You can see older comic books priced well over $100. When I see these I start thinking about what I have, how many and should I sell. LoLIt's fun to talk to the younger fans too. A little girl we talked with, under 10 years old, told us how she hung on to her Easter money until she came here. She was torn though because there are things she wants but also wants to save. She's got good parenting teaching her the importance of saving. If that was me at that age, I would've spent everything I had in 5min. I know better now. I only walked out with 1 purchase. A Star Wars technical book on the ships of the original movie that included the Death Star. Use to sell for $150 but I snagged it for $6.00 for reference material.I attended today thinking I would be done in 1 hour then I can go home and eat. I was having such a good time. Before I knew it, time was slipping away. When I did finally get up to leave, I looked at the time, did some quick calculations, realizing I was there for 3.5 hours. I was starving.Parking is free in the Ala Moana Center then you can just walk into the hotel. For $3.00 entrance fee, that was money well spent for half a day of entertainment. There's hardly any place these days to get cheap thrills like that.

A fun event held annually on the second floor of the Ala Moana Hotel. admission is pretty inexpensive. What original drew me here is that a know some people in the artist's alley area doing mostly drawings and such and selling other merchandise. But they have some really great toys and collectibles. Special edition models. Lots of special edition certified comics as well. Some blast from the pasts too like vintage toys. I was pleasantly surprised with all the special edition Marvel and Star Wars collections multiple vendors have. I always find something I like. They'll usually be some cosplayers around the event as well. It's small but the quality of collections is high and its well worth the visit.

The Toy and Comic Expo was on the smaller side, but there was a variety of things to look at and plenty of people selling their prized collections. Luis went in there wanting a few things and he was able to find what he was looking for. I lasted one go around and was happy to go downstairs and look at an art store, while my husband enjoyed himself.I am more into art, music, dance and Theater, the things you do, because you love each other. Supporting each other's interests even if you are not interested. But I did find a few things that I enjoyed seeing. If I was still collecting Michael Jackson artifacts like I was as a child, I would've been a happy camper.All in all it was a good experience, everyone was friendly at the event. Most of the pricing was reasonable. It was only three dollars to get in to the event. And there was a variety of people attending. There were young kids, teenagers, young adults, the old guys (over 40 collectors ) and few specs of women here and there.

The Hawaii Comic & Toy Expo is one of two collectible-focused annual shows in Honolulu (the other, from the same organizers is the Hawaii Toy Fair, which takes place in November). This show is held every May, so keep an eye out for dates and times. Held at Ala Moana Hotel, it's very convenient to attend; parking is free and available at Ala Moana Center near Macy's; be sure to park on the 3rd level to have direct walking access across the bridge to the hotel and expo rooms. The show is specifically held on the 2nd floor, up the escalators from the hotel lobby. It's $3 for entry, children are free. Open from 8am to 4pm, people will line up early to get the best deals!The ticket table is at the top of the escalators to the right, or left from the elevators. The $3 admission is cash only. In general if you plan on purchasing items, be sure to have plenty of cash, as many only accept it. Some dealers take credit if you ask. The Expo isn't huge, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. For those who attend the pop culture conventions, it's many of the same dealers, just with a tighter focus here. This show is slightly more general; it's mostly toys and collectibles, but also highlights comics and comic artists. You'll find new harder-to-find toys, old toys, collectibles, plush items, comics, comic art & prints, Funko! Pop! figures, Hot Wheels, LEGO, Marvel, TsumTsums, Star Wars, and other fun items. Prices are typically cheaper than buying on eBay, plus here you can bargain while you talk and laugh with dealers. In general, they're very nice people who have the same passions as you; it never hurts to connect before you buy. I get the feeling many people, especially those with classic toys, are here to have fun more than just for solid profit.This show adds the comic and art aspect, which is fun to look at. There are local artists doing on-demand sketches and paintings on commission, as well as prints. This is a great show to take pictures of nostalgic items, as well as share memories with your children or inner child. Free lemon ice water is provided for the hotel, be sure to take advantage to stay hydrated while walking around. Also, bring a reusable shopping bag to save some plastic. Tip: be sure to look down at the floor for loose and cheap deals, just because they're cheap doesn't mean they can't still be fun!

I don't normally go to toy shows but with my better half being an avid collector, I needed to give it a whirl. With the fee admissions being $3 only, kids 5 & under and cosplayers are free it wouldn't hurt to look around. I've never had any reason to leave and re-enter but as they request have your stub handy or no re-entry. The toy show is located on Ala Moana Hotel Hibiscus Ballroom and many vendors and a few artists have many booths in and outside of the ballroom. Parking is free in Ala Moana Center lots and it's an easy access from the third floor Macy's side. Starbucks is located on the ground floor if you find yourself early and see a long line before you. The line is quick but does get crowded.Hawaii Comic & Toy Expo is not a huge event, however; a chance to find a rarity is imminent. The event is from 8am to 4pm on a Sunday. My advice is to come early for the good stuff. A water stand is available should you find yourself parched while in deep search for your treasures. In the previous events, I've been lucky enough to find a plethora of things I do collect like vintage Snoopys of all sorts, Tsum Tsum Plushies and vinyl's I couldn't get before. If it matters, beware of fakes and carefully look at what you're buying. At times I'll randomly find fun toys from childhood that is meaningful. I've learned from previous shows to carry some cash as not all vendors will accept credit. Bring recycle bags for your treasures. I find that a lot of my favorite vendors do not have a store front and some I've had to retain contact information to see more of what they didn't bring at the show. Coming to these shows congregates all the local vendors that I didn't know existed. The guest comic artist/inker of the day is Aaron Lopresti of DC Comics writer and artist. Andy Lee is another familiar face among one of the local artist with Kanila K. Tripp. A collection of their artwork is impressive.I do my best not to collect recent comics; however, my collection of vintage Supergirl and Superman comics are slowly growing. It was nice to meet a few vendors that sell 50's and 60's comics and at a fair price. While some of the asking prices are hefty, I loved digging through great deals of toy boxes with buy 2 for a $1, or comics of 10 for $5. I'm all about the small goods because living in a bento box in Hawaii; I can't store big stuff with the lack of space. Finding a random working Superman portable SP-19 Record Player was fun. It's asking price? $50, which goes for about $100 to $240 or so on eBay. I loved that the show is both vintage and new toys. Finding a large old Ronald Mcdonald built LEGO was jaw breaking, lots of POP! Vinyl's and Star Wars, Hot Wheels, vintage Barbies of all types are displayed throughout the show. Coming to the show may be a hit or miss. Running into vendors looking for good homes for their toys is the best. You'll never know what you might find unless you dig and look for it. It's what treasure hunting is about.What did I go home with? I went home with a Charlie Brown Itty Bitty and a vintage Snoopy ornament for 2 for $1. From another vendor, Alexander knew I loved Rugrats and found a BK happy meal toy for $2, and The Mask action figures with crazy Milo for $2 each in a sealed cover. Who still sells these with Milo? I want them!

We happened upon this expo during our visit and decided we couldn't go wrong for the $3 entrance fee. It was definitely interesting to see the setup although I wish there were more vendors that didn't just have Funkos. I guess having SDCC and WonderCon locally spoils you. However it was cool to stop by and check it out. I hope they expand and get more vintage toy dealers. I love Funko but having 20% of the vendors in a small room carrying them is a little bit overkill.