Written by Jim Ziegler

Pokémon players from around the world congregate in Honolulu, Hawai’i this week for the Pokémon World Championship. Hosted at the Hawai’i Convention Center, for many trainers this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip to one of the most beautiful areas on Earth. For those of us who live here, it’s a welcome return after the 2012 Pokémon World Championship in Waikaloa Village.

 

If you’re visiting Hawai’i for the first time, don’t spend your entire trip at the convention center and the Trainer Village in Waikīkī. Take some time to explore the local culture!

 

Hawai’i is one of the most isolated places on Earth, which means that a lot of our local wildlife can’t be found anywhere else, and several species are federally protected. If you see a honu (green sea turtle) or a monk seal on the beach or in the bay, stay away! Disturbing these and other endangered species, like the nēnē goose, is a federal crime, and you don’t want your vacation to end in jail.

 

Food in Hawai’i draws inspiration from around the world, but there’s a very strong Japanese influence. Fresh world-class seafood is available all around the city, but if you really want the local experience, look for a poke (pronounced poké) bowl. Raw, marinated fish over rice is a popular local dish, and oh so ono (delicious)! For the less adventurous, a loco moco is the go-to dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Or cool off with shave ice, a favorite local treat that may be sold in your hometown as “Hawaiian Ice,” but which pales in comparison to the original.

 

Just a mile away from the Hawai’i Convention Center, the annual Aloha Card Show is happening at the Ala Moana Shopping Center. Collectors and vendors from around the state congregate to buy, sell, and trade cards from baseball to Yu-Gi-Oh, so you’ll be sure to find plenty of rare and vintage Pokémon cards for your collection. There’s even a PSA booth, to get your World Championship promos graded on the spot!

 

For those who can’t make it to the main event, you can watch the best players in the world battle it out on Pokemon’s official Twitch channel, and participate in the celebration in spirit by earning a World Championship 2024 promo during League play all week at Gam3Escape. And for those who can, don’t forget to stop by the Gam3Escape booth located next to the TCG Illustration Contest Gallery!

 

We’ll see you in Honolulu!

 

IN THE WORLD OF POKÉMON

Pokémon World Championship Celebration

Stop in all week long for Pokémon TCG casual play and receive a World Championship 2024 promo card featuring Diamond Head in addition to the normal rewards.

 

Pokémon League Casual Play

Monday and Saturday at 6:30 PM, Sunday at noon

The $10 entry fee comes with a pack of your choice from any in the store, as well as a promo pack.

 

GATHER FOR MAGIC

Standard Showdown

Saturday, 3:00 PM

Tiny tails, big adventures, Standard format! The first Standard Showdown of the Bloomburrow meta is here! Bring your best deck, and battle it out for fun and prizes. Entry fee: $10

 

Bloomburrow Commander BINGO

Saturday, 6:00 PM

Gam3Escape's Monthly Commander BINGO Event. Receive an extra ticket for playing any Bloomburrow Commander. Entry fee: $10

 

Casual Commander

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 6:00 PM.

The most popular format in Magic, Commander, is back on the table. Bring your favorite deck, or playtest a new one against other magicians. No entry fee: These battles are for honor, not prizes!

 

TIME TO DUEL! Yu-Gi-Oh!

Advanced Constructed Tournament

Wednesday, Friday 7:00 PM

Duel for supremacy in the Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game. Earn OTS Tournament Packs while demonstrating your skills as a duelist. Entry fee: $10

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Shimmering Skies Lorcana League

Monday, & Saturday, 6:30 PM

The adventures in the Inklands continue with Locana League. Bring your sealed deck, or join the fun! The initial entry fee includes a starter deck of your choice, a booster pack, and a 200-card deck box to keep your sealed cards from getting mixed up with your collection. Entry fee: $25 (one-time charge)

THIS MEANS WAR(HAMMER)!

Kill Team

Zoom in on the action and lead a single squad into combat, with modified rules to keep the action moving. Bring your best squad and prepare to battle. Entry: $15

 

Casual Warhammer

Sunday, 5:00 PM

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. At Gam3Escape, there is only Warhammer! Whether it’s a Tyranid terror or a Blood Angel battalion, stage your army and prepare for battle at the weekly Casual Warhammer event. 

 

Cardfight! Vanguard

overDress Constructed Tournament

Monday, 5:30 PM

Bring your cards and get ready to fight! Cardfight! Vanguard is back with weekly tournaments, every Monday night. Entry fee: $6

 

STAR WARS: UNLIMITED

Casual Play League

Tuesdays, 6:00 PM

Whether you’re an aspiring Jedi, a sinister Sith, or a bounty hunter looking for your next score, Star Wars: Unlimited has all the excitement of your favorite space opera in cardboard form.