Coming Events

Advertiser Staff

BEST BETS

• Hokua, the 40-story, $210 million, luxury high-rise scheduled to start construction later this year at Queen Street and Ala Moana, will be the subject of discussion at a breakfast forum Thursday sponsored by the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties. Speakers will include representatives of the collaborative developers, The MacNaughton Group, including Duncan macNaughton; and The Kobayashi Development Group, including B.J. Kobayashi. The development, scheduled for completion in late 2005, features units costing between $535,000 and $5.5 million. The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 to 9 a.m. at The Pacific Club. Fee; nonmembers/guests welcome. Register by tomorrow: Barbie Rosario, 845-4994.

• SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, and its effects on the Chinese business climate and economy will be among the subjects addressed in a discussion Friday of local business opportunities in China. The panel discussion, "THE ROLE OF HONG KONG IN HELPING HAWAI'I COMPANIES DO BUSINESS IN CHINA," is co-sponsored by the Hong Kong Business Association of Hawaii and the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. The business forum will feature panelists with small- and medium-size companies representing various professions, such as manufacturing, information technology service and professional service, who will speak on the "nuts and bolts" of doing business with China via Hong Kong. The luncheon presentation and panel discussion are planned for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Pacific Club. Register by Wednesday. Information: 342-8660.

• A representative of the city prosecuting attorney's Bad Check Restitution Program will speak to the May 27 monthly luncheon meeting of the local chapter of AMERICAN SOCIETY OF WOMEN ACCOUNTANTS. The meeting is planned noon to 1 p.m. at The Plaza Club in Pioneer Plaza. Fee; guests welcome. Register by Wednesday: Susan Song, 527-4234.

TUESDAY

• Ongoing research to develop drugs — using chemical extracts from plants and marine algae — to overcome bioterrorism threats such as anthrax and botulism will be the focus of the next University (of Hawai'i) Connections' "MEET THE RESEARCHERS" discussion. The ongoing series of brown-bag lunch discussions about UH research projects with commercial potential is scheduled for noon to 1 p.m. in Room 20-B of Ali'i Place, 1099 Alakea St. Among the speakers will be joint research participants Dr. Mark Goldman of Hawaii Biotechnology Inc. and UH chemistry professor Thomas Hemscheidt. Free. Reservations: 547-5644.

• 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. It is offered 9 a.m. Tuesdays or 2 p.m. Thursdays at 1041 Nu'uanu Ave., #A. Attendees will have access to training videos and resource materials. Workshops and free counseling are also offered. Appointments: 522-8130.

THURSDAY

• The first- and second-place winners in the recent University of Hawai'i Business Plan Competition — including one proposal for a cogeneration power plant using macadamia nut shells — will present those plans before the next monthly meeting of the HAWAII VENTURE CAPITAL ASSOCIATION. The two project teams — Birding Vietnam, which would provide birding guide services in Vietnam, and Integrated Energy Concepts — will present their winning plans to HVCA members and guests, many of whom are "angel investors" and professional venture capitalists. Meeting registration starts at 11:30 a.m., adjournment is at 1:30 p.m., at The Plaza Club at Pioneer Plaza. Fee; UH faculty and students welcome. Reservations: Gail, 262-7329.

• New opportunities available to veterans who want to start small businesses will be the subject of an upcoming free workshop, sponsored in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Veterans Administration and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The workshop, 9 a.m. to noon at the Hawai'i Small Business Development Center Network, 1041 Nu'uanu Ave., Suite A, will provide tips on financing programs, marketing, government contracts and training. Registration: 522-8131.

• 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

Volunteer Legal Services Hawai'i will hold a series of workshops for nonprofit organizations on O'ahu, all at their office, 545 Queen St.:

• "How to Incorporate," 8:30 a.m. to noon, and "How to Obtain Tax-Exempt Status," 1:30 to 5 p.m., both today;
• "Organizational Management and Responsibilities," 8:30 a.m. to noon; and "Fund-Raising Basics," 1:30 to 5 p.m., both June 20;
• "Strategic Planning," 8:30 a.m. to noon; and "Organizational Assessment," 1:30 to 5 p.m., both July 22. Fee. Registration required: 522-0682, or www.vlsh.org/nonprofits.

•"BREAKING THE CYCLE OF NEGATIVE THINKING" — a workshop organizers call a "human tune-up" — will be jointly sponsored by the Hawaii Women's Business Center and The Hawaii Wellness Institute, 1 to 5 p.m. at the center, 1041 Nu'uanu Ave., Suite A. Fee; higher fee at door. Registration: Olive: 522-8136.

SATURDAY

• "LIVING TRUSTS IN PLAIN ENGLISH," a free seminar, sponsored by attorney Bernard Corbe, will be held 11 a.m. at the 'Aina Haina Library. Information: 533-0360.

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.