So how did Hawai'i land a host bid for a national championship figure skating meet for the first time?

According to the president of the Hawai'i Figure Skating Club, which will host this week's U.S. National Collegiate Figure Skating Championships, it was because of location and experience.

"We felt that the location was perfect for a college-aged person. What college-aged person wouldn't want to come to Hawai'i and compete and vacation here? We stressed that," said Beverly Thompson, the president of HFSC.

The club also is used to holding such large events. HFSC has hosted the Skate Aloha competition every year in March for the past 11 years. That event draws as many as 120 participants.

For the nationals, Thompson is expecting 83 athletes (some were expected to arrive yesterday), and another 100 coaches and guests.

"So we knew we had the experience to do it, and we definitely had the desire," she said.

The U.S. National Collegiate Figure Skating Championships is for full-time college students who are in the top two levels of figure skating. It will be held at the Ice Palace, Wednesday through Friday.

HFSC put in its bid in the spring of 2003, and found out it won in the fall of that year. Thompson said she doesn't know who the club was competing against to serve as host.

"I'm really pleased, because I'm on the organizing committee. I really felt this would be an honor and pushed really hard," Thompson said. "I was thrilled when we got it, thrilled to host it, and we look forward to making this a fabulous event."

The news caught some Hawai'i skaters by surprise.

"We didn't even know our club was hosting it," Kellie Nakamura, 19, said. "We didn't even know, and we went to the Mainland and we saw a bunch of fliers.

"It was exciting knowing we were going to host. Every year we have to go up there, and finally, they have to come over here."

As part of the bidding process, HFSC also had to provide a good travel package, and offered free ground transportation for the athletes. All participants, however, had to pay for their own airfare and hotel accommodations.

Hosting the championships is not costing the club, because U.S. Figure Skating provided a grant — Thompson did not want to disclose its amount — that will cover the cost.

Under the grant, the club must bring in 18 officials, who are all volunteers, and pay for all of their required expenses.

Thompson said she hopes having the championships in Honolulu will help spark interest in local figure skating.

"We felt it would be a good opportunity to bring a competition to them, younger skaters, and other people in Hawai'i," she said.