If you plan to vacation in Waikiki around the middle of November this year, be aware that during this time an important convention of world leaders is taking place. President Obama will be here and host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), a forum for 21 Pacific Rim countries that seeks to promote economic cooperation and free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

This is a big event and the local media as well as local businesses and residents have been talking about it for months. This mega event will bring about 20,000 business leaders, corporate CEOs, senior government officials, economists and journalists from the 21 member economies of APEC to Oahu. Hawaii beat out several other U.S. cities for the right to host this event. It is the first time the USA has hosted APEC since the original summit in 1993.

Most of the meetings and events will take place at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu from November 7-13, 2011. The two most important events will be hosted at two other locations. The APEC Leaders’ Meeting will take place on November 12, 2011, at the Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki, and on November 13, 2011, APEC Leaders will meet at the J.W. Marriott Ihilani in Ko Olina.

A lot of effort has been made in the last weeks and months to make Oahu look as presentable as possible. Roads and sidewalks have been fixed, coconut palms have been planted along roads where APEC leaders will travel, the Honolulu International Airport has received a partial makeover, homeless people have been told to relocate, graffiti in important areas has been removed and businesses and residents have been warned to plan ahead for this upcoming event.

There will be road and sidewalk closures around these three hot spots (Hawaii Convention Center, Hale Koa Hotel and J.W. Marriott Ihilani). This event will also impact ordinary visitors to Oahu. The public bus, as well as other transportation providers will be rerouted, boat tours (snorkeling excursions, dinner cruises, catamaran tours, etc.) won’t be allowed to sail along a certain part of coastline, helicopter sightseeing tours won’t be able to fly and even Diamond Head will be closed on November 12-13, 2011, all due to security measures for APEC.

So plan ahead if you will be in Honolulu during this time and expect delays on some roads. For more information about these security zones and on which days they will be in effect, visit the links under the category “APEC Security Maps” on http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/category/222800/apec-hawaii-2011