Coming Events

Advertiser Staff

BEST BETS

• Environmentally friendly degradable plastic alternatives to the styrofoam and other petroleum-based plastics used in the food industry — a bioplastic made by bacteria-digested organic waste —will be the topic of the next University Connections "MEET THE RESEARCHERS" discussion. The brown-bag session, part of a series on University of Hawai'i research projects with commercial potential, is scheduled for noon-1 p.m., June 30, in Room 20-B, Alii Place, 1099 Alakea St. UH Hawaii Natural Energy Institute professor Jian Yu will discuss how he engineered a system in which bacteria digest food and agricultural waste to produce biopolymers. Free. Reservations: 547-5644.

• UH Connections will also be among sponsors of an inventors' showcase Thursday of high- and low-tech breakthroughs that will do everything from brewing a better cup of coffee to exploring the ocean depths. The luncheon event, "TOWARD A BETTER MOUSE TRAP," is scheduled 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Plaza Club, Pioneer Plaza. Also sponsoring the event will be the Hawaii Venture Capital Association and UH Angels. Fee; UH faculty, students and nonmembers welcome. Registration: Gail, 262-7329.

• Marketing applications of recent census data will be discussed at two free workshop sessions July 1. The workshop, "SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CENSUS DATA BY RACE i READY FOR YOU," is sponsored by the U.S. Census Bureau and the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. It will offer businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies practical, step-by-step guidance on understanding — and using to their advantage — recent census data. Two sessions are planned: 9 a.m. (8:30 a.m. registration) to noon; and 1 p.m. (12:30 p.m. registration) to 4 p.m., both in Conference Room 436 of No. 1 Capitol District Building, 250 S. Hotel St. Registration: 586-2466.

TUESDAY

• The effects of terrorism will be among topics of an upcoming discussion on international trade, sponsored by the Hawaii Women's Business Center. Other topics will include importing, tariffs and exporting. The discussion, "IMPORTING: PRICING YOR PRODUCT INTERNATIONALLY," is scheduled 9 a.m. to noon tomorrow and July 2, at the Small Business Resource Center in Suite A, 1041 Nu'uanu Ave. Registration: Olive: 522-8136.

• The MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF HONOLULU will offer free weekly orientation sessions to minority business owners and prospective entrepreneurs. The sessions, scheduled 9 to 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday in the center's offices in Suite 2506 of the Executive Center, 1088 Bishop St., will offer advice on business startup, marketing plans, loans, employee handbooks and access to capital. Free. Reservations: 521-6221.

• A free COMPUTER BOOT CAMP is offered 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to all small-business owners interested in using computer technology to improve and expand business operations and management. The program is sponsored by the Small Business Resource Center, in partnership with the Small Business Administration, the city Office of Economic Development, Hawai'i Small Business Development Center Network, Hawai'i Women's Business Center, and SCORE. The program is open to all clients of the center who have attended a center orientation, offered 9 a.m. Tuesdays or 2 p.m. Thursdays at 1041-A Nu'uanu Ave. Attendees will have access to training videos and resource materials. Workshops and free counseling are also offered. Appointments: 522-8130.

WEDNESDAY

• Public and private contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses will be the topic of a discussion Wednesday, sponsored by the Hawaii Women's Business Center. The discussion, "Keeping Your Competitive Edge," is scheduled 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Small Business Resource Center in Suite A, 1041 Nu'uanu Ave. Among participants will be representatives of Outrigger Hotels, to discuss contracting and subcontracting possibilities. Small fee. Call: Olive, 522-8136.

THURSDAY

• Douglas D. Wilson, author of "Executor & Trustee Survival Guide," will discuss the intricacies and potential liabilities of becoming an executor or trustee in a presentation sponsored by Eldercare Hawaii: 7 p.m. Thursday, Suite A, 2909 Lowrey Ave. The workshop will also address a number of other questions, including "Are you opening up your estate for a family feud?" and "Will your power-of-attorney protect you in event of incapacity — and then, can you be kicked out of your home?" Small fee. Information: 988-6300.

• Herman Frazier, University of Hawai'i athletic director, who looks at his responsibility for the $16 million athletics program as a "chief executive officer," will speak to the breakfast forum meeting Thursday of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties: 7:30 a.m., The Pacific Club. Fee; guests and nonmembers welcome; tickets at the door. Reservations by tomorrow: Barbie Rosario, 845-4994.

• Representatives of Hawai'i's top lending institutions and business assistance providers will take part in a Financing open House for Small Businesses scheduled Thursday by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Hawaii Women's Business Center. A workshop for new or expanding small businesses, "The Buck Starts Here!," will be held 9 a.m. to noon at the Small Business Resource Center, Suite A, 1041 Nu'uanu Ave. Free. Registration, Mary Dale, 541-2983.

• PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S NETWORK monthly luncheon meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Hale Koa Hotel, Fort DeRussy. Speaker: Nicole Bremness, president, Heart-to-Heart Life Coaching, on perfecting the skill of communications. Reservations: 533-4800.

• AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAWAI'I, 5:45 to 7 p.m., Thursday, 1311 Kapi'olani Blvd., second-floor conference room. Information: 597-1341.

• ALA MOANA TOASTMASTERS luncheon meetings, with opportunities to improve public and impromptu speaking abilities, noon to 1 p.m., Thursdays, The Wisteria restaurant. Guests welcome. Information: 368-2757.

• The HONOLULU BUSINESS NETWORK, a networking opportunity for small-business owners and professionals, meets 12:01 to 1:15 p.m. Thursdays at Sansei Seafood Restaurant, Restaurant Row. Call: Tracy Nakashima, 525-6028.

FRIDAY

• Early entry deadline for October's 2003 Building Industry Association of Hawaii PARADE OF HOMES is Friday. Call: Tracy Jefferson, 847-4666, #206.

SATURDAY

• A four-hour workshop to demonstrate how "branding" enables the entrepreneur to differentiate one's product or service from the competition will be offered by the Hawaii Women's Business Center on Saturday. The workshop, featuring instructor AnnMarie Manzulli, longtime designer and owner of Manifesto advertising agency, will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Small Business Resource Center, Suite A, 1041 Nu'uanu Ave.. Fee: $45. Registration, Olive, 522-8136.

• A free, public workshop, "PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM IDENTITY THEFT," sponsored by the Hawaii State Federal Credit Union, will be offered 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, in their main branch on the fourth floor at 560 Halekauwila St. Registration: 587-2700.

• LONG-TERM-CARE WORKSHOP, hosted by John Hancock Life Insurance Co., 9 a.m.Saturday, Suite 1200 at 1601 Kapi'olani Blvd. Presenter: John Nakao. Reservations: 979-3343.

Business meetings of general interest are listed in the "Coming Events" column each Monday. Submit notices at least two weeks in advance. By fax: 525-6763. By mail: Coming Events, Business Section, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802. By e-mail: business@honoluluadvertiser.com.

Correction: The next UH Connections Meet the Researchers talk is from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday, June 30, in Room 20-B, Alii Place, 1099 Alakea St. An incorrect date was given in a previous version of this column.