Attendee Rules and Guidelines (READ ME)

[MadMallard]

Contained in this thread are the following:



General Code Of Conduct
our kon's basic rules

Kawaii-Kon Weapons Policy
details on costume accessory weapons & props

Guest Autograph Session Policy
details on etiquette during a signing by our guests

[MadMallard]

General Code Of Conduct

Please review these rules and guidelines for all in attendance in Kawaii-kon. Note that these are subject to change at any time and for any reason without notice.

All of the Kawaii Kon attendees are expected to obey the rules set by Kawaii Kon.

Not complying (either mistakenly or deliberately) may result in warnings or restrictions at the event, and up to suspension of their pass(es) and/or a permanent ban from the Kawaii Kon Convention and its sister conventions of GE2. Kawaii Kon -will- report any incident involving suspected illegal activity to the local authorities.

General

Smoking is only permitted in pre-designated areas at the Hawaii Convention Center.

Please be prepared to show your badge any time you enter a convention space or event – it identifies you as a fully paid attendee of the convention.


Consent to Photography
Generally, attendees should understand that Kawaii-kon is a social gathering and that attendees will be openly photographing other attendees. Photo-taking behavior that crosses good manners into harassment (paparazzi style for example) will not be tolerated by Kawaii-kon. Please notify us if you feel such harassment.

By attending Kawaii-kon, the attendees understand that they may be photographed, or have live video taken of them by direct representatives of Kawaii-kon, and then have those used or published by Kawaii-kon or GE2 without any further consent or notice.

Attendees may not photograph or record any audio or video of any concert musical performance, or any video screening event such as the VAST or video rooms.


Rowdy Behavior
Kawaii Kon strives to provide a safe and fun environment for all those who attend the convention. Behavior such as, but not limited to, skanking, moshing and/or standing on chairs will not be tolerated at any time for any reason during any convention events. Individuals who engage in such behavior will be immediately ejected from that event. A verbal warning will be issued for a first time violation and any further misconduct will result in ejection from the convention.


Costumes and Clothing
When choosing and/or creating your costume, please keep in mind the constraints of local laws and customs concerning public decency. All clothing and costumes should cover all appropriate areas.

Sturdy and fitted costumes are required; you should not be falling out of your costume, and it should not be falling apart around you.

If you have a bulky or large costume, please be aware of your surroundings. Try not to hit other attendees, block walkways or access, or cause a disruption. You are responsible for your own costume and should respect those around you.

Harassment and Assault
"No" means "no." "Stop" means "stop." "Go away" means "go away." Harassment is any behavior that seriously annoys or alarms another person or group. This includes unwanted physical contact, following someone in a public area, verbal assaults, or threatening physical violence. An offender may lose their badge and the matter may be referred to the proper law enforcement authorities. If you are being harassed, immediately contact Kawaii Kon or Hawaii Convention center security or a nearby member of the Kawaii Kon staff. Convention staff and security personnel have the right to remove an attendee's badge for not following the rules and their commands, and may eject a person from the convention.

Buying, Selling, and Solicitation
Kawaii-kon only authorises the sale of merchandise to specific individuals and groups in certain areas of the convention- the vendors in the dealers room, and the artists in the artist alley.

At no time may other attendees conduct buying or selling or solicitation of goods or services on the premises of Kawaii-kon.

Kawaii Kon takes its obligations in this area very seriously. Some examples of prohibited solicitation or sale are musicians requesting tips, setting up artwork for sale in the common areas, and passing out signs or cards to solicit a business in areas other then the aforementioned commerce areas. Violation of these rules may result in the offender forfeiting their pass, returning all payments, and facing expulsion from the convention area.

Certain kinds of solicitations may be against the law and Kawaii-kon reports all suspected illegal incidents to the authorities.

Please note, any solicitation or selling outside of the convention center requires a street vendor license from the City of Honolulu. Police are on site. Should you be caught engaging in such activities, you may be ticketed and fined, as well as possibly sent to jail. Offering favors of a sexual nature for sale, such as kisses, hugs, dates, gropes, spankings, etc., are strictly prohibited as they may be viewed as forms of prostitution. Attempts to circumvent any of these rules such as throwing money and merchandise on the ground and other such tactics are also prohibited.


Liability
Kawaii Kon, its personnel, and its affiliates are not responsible for any damage, theft, injury, or loss. Attendees of the convention are responsible for their own actions and belongings as well as for any resulting repercussions. Staff is on hand to assist in any situation. However, any civil or medical emergencies that may occur must be handled directly be the appropriate authorities.

[MadMallard]

KAWAII KON WEAPONS POLICY

These rules are for the safety of those in attendance at Kawaii-Kon, and to allow those in costume to wear them responsibly at our convention. We enforce the weapons policy to ensure the safety of all those attending Kawaii Kon, and we maintain a strict Weapons Policy. We, the Founders, Directors and the Security Department of Kawaii Kon, appreciate the time and effort put into the creation of your costumes, props, and replica weapon/ weapon-like items and understand that props and weapons are often a vital part of an anime character’s costume. However, safety does come first. Please read and understand Kawaii Kon’s weapons policy before using / making any props for your costume. It is imperative that any props, weapons or weapon-like items (called ‘weapons’ from here on forward for simplicity’s sake) comply with Kawaii Kon’s Weapons Policy as well as with all local, state, and federal laws. This policy is not a summary of the laws nor does this policy constitute legal advice. You are solely responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable laws.

Inspection

All props and weapons will need to be submitted to the Kawaii Kon Security Department for inspection prior to being allowed within the convention area. A weapons inspection desk will be stationed near the primary entrance to the main convention level.

All items must be inspected and zip-tied for compliance with this weapon policy. The zip-tie must be visible at all times to indicate that the item has been inspected. As this document cannot be all-inclusive, there may be times where a judgement call by the Security Department weapons inspectors will need to be made on the acceptability of a prop or weapon. Please understand that Kawaii Kon reserves the right to refuse the entry of any prop or weapon it deems unfit, ill-constructed or unsafe to the convention.

Uncostumed prop / weapon-bearing

All props or weapons must support the overall look the you are currently wearing. Wearing a prop or weapon for its own sake is not allowed. For example: you may not wear regular street clothes and carry a sword or a staff. Now, we understand that there may be anime characters that do wear ‘regular’ street clothes and carry weapons – but if you are ‘costumed’ and you are stopped for violating this rule and you cannot convince security staff that you are cosplaying as ABC from anime XYZ, you may need to rethink your costume (while taking said prop / weapon off and removing it from the convention grounds).

Brandishing

Brandishing is defined as drawing, exhibiting, waving or using any item, prop or weapon in an unsafe manner. Any such display of an item, prop or weapon in an aggressive or threatening manner, real or implied regardless of intent, or any other activity thought to be unsafe is strictly forbidden.

The only exception to the brandishing rule is for photography / videography. For the limited period you are posing and if the area around you is clear of bystanders. You are allowed to pose with an item, prop, or weapon in a brandishing-like manner so long as no reasonable person would interpret the pose as anything but safe and no real threat. However, please exercise great caution when doing so – we want everyone (including yourself) to be safe!

Misuse of a prop or weapon can be considered grounds for removal or ejection from the convention. Anyone brandishing an item, prop, or weapon will be warned and asked to remove said item from the convention grounds. If the individual ignores this warning and / or brings the banned item back, he or she may face membership badge forfeiture and removal from the convention.

Anyone found fighting (real or otherwise) or threatening someone with an item, prop, or weapon will be immediately removed from the convention grounds, and their membership badge confiscated. They may also be turned over to the local authorities as required.

The Directors and Security Staff of Kawaii Kon, and the Hawaii Convention Center Security, in their sole and absolute discretion, are empowered to determine whether a particular act constitutes “Brandishing” and its severity.

Edged weapons, metal
1. No sharpened edged weapons – all metal blades must be blunt
2. No unsheathed edged weapons – all metal blades must be sheathed
3. Any edged weapons that cannot be peace-bonded to permanently secure the metal blade within its sheath will not be permitted.

Clubs / blugeoning weapons (including wooden swords)
1. No rigid metal piping may be used in the construction of any weapon / prop
2. No brittle construction materials (for example, glass or acrylic sheet) can be used in the construction of any weapon / prop
3. No 'sharp' points – all points must be constructed of non-rigid / soft materials
4. Keep weight in mind – the bigger an item is, lighter the construction material is required

Miscellaneous weapons
1. No kunai – all kunai-type weapons regardless of construction material may not be used.
2. Bows & slingshots – real bows and slingshots may be used, but without bowstrings and propelling tubing
3. Chains – no metal chains. Short lengths of plastic chain (12" or less) are acceptable
4. Whips – whips which are peace-bonded to prevent uncoiling will be permitted.

Guns
1. No real guns of any type are allowed.
2. No metal pellet / BB guns are allowed.
3. No paintball guns are allowed.
4. Airsoft
A. All airsoft weapons that have a magazine must have the magazine removed and chamber cleared of any projectiles. If the magazine cannot be removed, the weapon must be empty of projectiles.
B. Any airsoft weapon that is battery operated must not contain batteries.
C. Gas-powered airsoft weapons cannot have propellant present in the weapon or magazine.
5. 'Nerf’-type weapons – allowed as long as no ammunition is present
6. Waterguns – allowed as long as no liquid is present
7. All 'firearms' must have an orange tip and it must be present on the weapon at all times. When holstered, either the orange tip must be visible through the holster, or the weapon’s zip-tie peace-bond must be visible.

[MadMallard]

Guest Autograph Session Policy

As a general courtesy, please bring no more than two(2) items for a guest to autograph at one time.

If the only other limit is time, then once you have your two items autographed you may go to the back of the line and wait for a chance to get more items signed.

The following guests are only allowed to sign a limited number of autographs:
Hideo Ishikawa
Masakazu Morita
Daisuke Kishio

You must acquire a "Signature Pass" in order to receive an autograph from these guests.

For our 2010 show, Lifetime memberships will be limited to 25 new members, as Lifetime Members will be the only attendees guaranteed to receive a Signature Pass for all three guests.

Signature Passes will also be awarded randomly to those who pre-register for our 2010 show.

To purchase a lifetime membership or pre-register for the convention, please go here: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/319667133

The process for the Autograph Session will be as follows (subject to change):

Attendees with Signature Passes will need to gather in Panel Room 1 (Niihau 312) on Friday, April 16th from 8:30pm to 9:30pm. At 9:30pm, no one else is allowed in the room. We will then exchange the Signature Passes for numbered Autograph Tickets. Just before 10pm, this group will be moved up to Main Events, where the autograph session is to take place. Only attendees with Autograph Tickets will be allowed in Main Events at this time.

There will be a designated Stand-by line for those attendees who did not receive a Signature Pass or Autograph Ticket. Time and place to be announced at a later time. Everyone outside in the standby line will be given a Standby Pass. If there are extra autographs available after all the attendees with Autograph Tickets have been accommodated, we will award numbered "Stand-by Autograph Tickets" to attendees in the stand-by line, in the order in which they are lined up.

[MadMallard]

updated

[iashakezula]

What is considered heavy?

There a lot of weapon props out there that are big, like Ichigo's sword or Inuyasha' sword and Cloud's sword.Most of these props has wooden base , then foam boards, and or then layer of filler or foam with sealant over .

My character has two yari or spears.The spears can be taken apart.The handle is light wood almost the same as balsa but its not hollow .I am planning to make the tips out of foam but the paint will make them appear real because they are modeling paint.I hope that would pass.

[zetsuei]

What is considered heavy?

There a lot of weapon props out there that are big, like Ichigo's sword or Inuyasha' sword and Cloud's sword.Most of these props has wooden base , then foam boards, and or then layer of filler or foam with sealant over .

My character has two yari or spears.The spears can be taken apart.The handle is light wood almost the same as balsa but its not hollow .I am planning to make the tips out of foam but the paint will make them appear real because they are modeling paint.I hope that would pass.

What we considered as heavy is something that you can barely lift.

Inuyasha, Ichigo, and Cloud's swords are big, but if they are light enough to be carried by almost anyone then thats fine.

BUT, if its to the point that you need to put a lot of energy into lifting it or to the point that dropping it could cause serious damage to property or person, then that weapon wont be allowed.

Just make sure the spears are not sharp at all and it should be alright.

[MadMallard]

update weapons policy to include things that are dangerous just by being what they are.

[Uchiha1412Toshi]

question regarding uncostumed props--

Does the prop have to match the costume? For instance, cosplaying a ninja from Naruto but holding a keyblade. Or another example, Riku with a Halo weapon.
So long as we're not in street clothes, correct?

[ClearlyPixelated]

It's not so much if the props match but how they are used/wielded. If you are in anyway brandishing your weapons, you will be warned and asked to remove said weapon from the convention.

[Chugoku-jinko]

Regarding the Rule for the Magazines out.

Can we keep them in for pictures? Because the M4 looks kind of funny with no magazines in it.

[SolarisFlame]

Question regarding guns/firearms. Does the "orange tip" policy apply to even guns someone made from scratch? I have a pair of "revolvers" which are made entirely of foam and plastic, and the "triggers" cannot even be pulled back. They're not capable of firing anything. They're very clearly prop weapons. -> http://fav.me/d3hud7v

Do even these require orange tips to be put on them? I ask mostly because I put a lot of work into the paint job, and don't wanna risk damaging the paint with orange tape/paint etc.

[kyon]

I believe it only applies to props that are able to fire projectiles, so pure prop 'firearms' will just need to be tied. And besides, orange tips on the Lacytangas would be blasphemy. >_>

[SolarisFlame]

Ah, thank goodness. Thanks very much for the answer. :3

And yeah orange tips would look so bad on them. D:

[Vader3000]

Didnt know if I should just make a new topic for this question but since I needed the directors approval I figure rules & guidelines would be the best place for him/her to see it at......

Quick question on the Ball attire, I'm planning on cosplaying as Tony Tony Chopper(Heavy Point form from One Piece) for most of the con so just wondering if I went to the ball as him in a whole suit and all is it ok if I can still wear his hat indoors???

[ClearlyPixelated]

Formal cosplay attire is allowed. Now since we are allowing that I (and you previously stated that you're going to be wearing a suit) I say that the hat is fine. Now that being said, if we did not allow formal cosplay, then hats would not be allowed. Traditionally hats for men are only to be worn in an outside setting. But again, we're allowing formal cosplay.

One thing I would recommend is to make the hat somehow match the suit? Change the fabric color, add something, etc. just something to make it less informal.

[SeeUMusicKat]

I was wondering. . .the code of conduct doesn't include it, but. . .if I were to bring a sign to kawaii-kon that said 'free glomps' and people asked me to glomp them, may I do so? Or is that agaisnt the rules? O.o

[buma]

I was wondering. . .the code of conduct doesn't include it, but. . .if I were to bring a sign to kawaii-kon that said 'free glomps' and people asked me to glomp them, may I do so? Or is that agaisnt the rules? O.o

The above example you use falls into the Code of Conduct 'Solicitation' section and is against our rules. Please do not bring signs nor offer free glomps. Thanks for understanding.

[Gikoneko]

Quick question about the confirmation code. In lieu of a printout of our code, is it fine if we just use the EventBrite app? I'll have my ID of course, but I was wondering if I could just use the app.

[SeeUMusicKat]

I was also wondering if shoes are required because the character that I'm cosplaying as, she does walk around barefoot but if shoes are required I'll make an exception .-. or even if they are can I survive with just socks

[ClearlyPixelated]

I was also wondering if shoes are required because the character that I'm cosplaying as, she does walk around barefoot but if shoes are required I'll make an exception .-. or even if they are can I survive with just socks

I'm sorry but the Hawaii Convention Center requires guests to wear appropriate footwear at all times, otherwise we'd be in a health code violation. I recommend nude or clear colored flip-flops or ones that match your outfit!

[SeeUMusicKat]

I was also wondering if shoes are required because the character that I'm cosplaying as, she does walk around barefoot but if shoes are required I'll make an exception .-. or even if they are can I survive with just socks

I'm sorry but the Hawaii Convention Center requires guests to wear appropriate footwear at all times, otherwise we'd be in a health code violation. I recommend nude or clear colored flip-flops or ones that match your outfit!

ok thanks

[Gikoneko]

Quick question about the confirmation code. In lieu of a printout of our code, is it fine if we just use the EventBrite app? I'll have my ID of course, but I was wondering if I could just use the app.

In addition to this question above, I was wondering about airsoft guns with magazines out of them. I think someone asked this before, but I was wondering the same thing. Are we allowed to keep the magazines in just for photos, or do the magazines have to be removed at all times?