Coming Events

Advertiser Staff

BEST BETS

• Disaster readiness and contingency plans by businesses will be the subject of upcoming workshops sponsored in part by state Civil Defense. The workshops, "MITIGATION FOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS" and "PLANNING FOR DISASTER: CAN YOUR BUSINESS AFFORD NOT TO BE PREPARED?," scheduled July 23 to 25, will introduce participants to hazard mitigation concepts and present a number of disaster scenarios. The workshops, also sponsored by the Hawai'i Coastal Zone Management Program, are made possible, in part, by grants from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Limited enrollment: Times, registration and enrollment criteria: Warren Chung, 733-4300.

• Former "20/20" television program host Hugh Downs, a recognized expert on retirement issues, will be featured in free presentations for retirees, sponsored by the Edward Jones financial firm. The free, interactive program, "HOW'S RETIREMENT TREATING YOU?," is part of a nationwide presentation on the Edward Jones private satellite video network. In the program, Downs and a panel of experts will offer 10 guidelines to help retirees live, work and play on their own terms. Viewings are scheduled July 8 at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. in Edward Jones' offices in Suite 901 at 1580 Makaloa St. (reservations: 947-2255) and 12:30 p.m. in Suite 1080 at 1001 Bishop St. (reservations: 533-4980). Additional viewings may be arranged.

• A three-part documentary and discussion of architecture's place in modern society — and its role in shaping and defining our physical world — will be offered next month, hosted by the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Following each 7 p.m. film at The Arthouse at Restaurant Row (preceded by a 5:30 p.m. pupu reception at the nearby Row Bar), will be a 8 p.m. panel discussion by representatives from the University of Hawai'i and local architectural and planning firms. The panel, moderated by a. kam Napier, managing editor of Honolulu Magazine, will include, among others, David Kaahaaina, AIA president-elect. The film and discussion series will be presented in three parts:

• July 17: "Keeping the Faith," exploring the relationship between architect and client, including the contemporary "fight" between innovation and "nice" conservative buildings. It explores the question "Is it the architect's responsibility to give us what we want — or lead us where we haven't been before?"
• July 24: "The Public Good," with a focus on architectural balance of desires of business clients with an obligation for public good.
• July 31: "Corrugated Dreams," visiting the artistic potential of architecture, within the context of the contemporary client's needs.

Fee; tickets also at the door. Limited seating; reservations, 545-4242.

MONDAY

• 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 noon to 1 p.m. today in Room 20-B of Ali'i 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.

TUESDAY

• 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.

THURSDAY

• BLAKE GOODMAN, an attorney and certified public accountant who has helped more than 6,000 individuals and families alleviate debt problems, will speak to a meeting of Hawaii Real Estate Investors, scheduled 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. registration) Thursday at the Kalihi-Palama Library. Open to the public; free for nonmembers. Information: Laura, 387-9961.

• 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

• It's the registration deadline for the upcoming HONOLULU JAPANESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE installation banquet: no-host cocktails, 6 p.m. and dinner/program 7 p.m., on July 12 at the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel's Maui and Moloka'i ballrooms. Fee. Formal attire. Information: 949-5531.

UPCOMING

• The Samoan Service Providers Association Business Service Center has scheduled an 11-week entrepreneurial training course, "SMARTSTART BUSINESS READINESS," for prospective business owners. Classes will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, beginning this week. Also offered will be free optional basic computer classes. Fee. Registration/location: 842-0218.

• Edward Jones financial firm has several upcoming classes and workshops at its various offices. Among them: long-term care (9 to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, 1360 Beretania St., Suite 304. Call: 543-6034); personal finance education (5 p.m. July 10, 320 Ward Ave., Suite 206. Call: 596-0076); company (retirement) plan distribution options, (4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, 320 Ward Ave., Suite 206. Call: 596-0076); and basic investing (9 to 10:30 a.m. July 19 and 26, 1360 Beretania St., Suite 304. Call: 543-6034).

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.