WAIKIKI, Hawaii -- Thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses are in Honolulu on the eve of a big international convention in Waikiki.

The anticipated influx of visitors is expected to be a welcome boost for the sagging economy.

Busloads of the delegates and their families were in Central Oahu Wednesday for a welcome reception.

About 3,400 members from Japan Korea Canada and Australia took time to tour of the Jehovah's Assembly Hall at Millilani Tech Park and the church headquarters in Kalihi.

"Some of us are thinking about going to the Big Island to do a tour, maybe see a real volcano tour," said Justin Rolls.

The conference starts at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Honolulu Convention Center and runs through Sunday.

Traffic in the area may be delayed during peak hours as busloads of conventioneers converge on the area.

A second wave of delegates is expected the following week.

The gathering is expected to draw some 30,000 people.