The Hilo Hawaiian Hotel has been awarded the "2008 Best of Hilo Award" in the Banquet Rooms category by the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Local Business Association.

The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, a part of Castle Resorts & Hotels, has 286 guest rooms and three meeting spaces to host a variety of events and meetings. The Moku Ola Ballroom can hold up to 600 people for a variety of functions and has the capability of dividing into two sections, as needed.

The ballroom features large windows opening up to views of Hilo Bay, Coconut Island, Mauna Kea, Hamakua Coast. The Mala Ikena room holds between 28 and 110 attendees in various seating capacities including "U" shape, conference, classroom and theater styles.

The hotel is running a meeting special Premier Meeting Package available through Dec. 30, for events of 25 to 400 people at $40 per person, with a minimum booking of 10 guest rooms nightly.