They're in suits. On a Friday.

An impressive network of audio speakers and video screens helped Aaron Ito from Maui share his message about the evils of alcohol, warning that "overindulgence is a snare in itself."

Beyond a wall was another group of about 3,000 Jehovah's Witnesses, hearing a nearly identical message in Japanese. Upstairs, another 1,000 delegates simultaneously heard versions in Korean, Chinese and Spanish.

The global convention of the faith organization taking place this weekend and next is expected to draw about 25,000 delegates to the Islands, and is the first such meeting in Hawai'i in 25 years, said spokesman Eric Anderson. The international convention is among those being held in 29 cities in 14 countries.

Kepa and Josiane Apolo of the Big Island had just returned from a similar convention in Australia, attended by 59,000 delegates, they said. Having one on its heels in Hawai'i made this weekend's gathering "a special one," said Josiane.

"It's like a booster shot for us," she said.

•	Global convention • Today and tomorrow at the Hawai'i Convention Center; Dec. 25-28 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center • Today: Reports from global groups; 11:30 a.m. water baptism immersion ceremony in the Exhibition Hall; talks by missionaries; lectures. • Tomorrow: More lectures and reports, a dramatic presentation, "Boldly Witnessing Despite Opposition" • Free • 386-2448, www.watchtower.org.

While the Christmas holidays tend to be slow for convention centers, it makes sense that the Jehovah's Witnesses would plan a convention now, as they are among the few Christians who do not celebrate Christmas.

"We don't participate in the holiday," Anderson said. "We don't do Christmas trees. If somebody gets (us) a present, it's up to the individual how they would handle that; there's no rule. The idea is that Jehovah's Witnesses would make decisions for themselves based on Bible principles."

Delegates are giving reports from Kenya, Alaska, Samoa, Brazil, Guam, Hong Kong, Malawi, Croatia, Canada, Fiji, Ukraine and Mexico, to name a few. Next weekend's events will follow the same outline, with another 8,000 expected.