Coming Events
Advertiser Staff
BEST BETS
• The latest on Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer — and the entry of Wal-Mart, along with Sam's Club, into urban Honolulu with the opening next year of the 10.5-acre Ke'eaumoku "superblock" — will be the topic of a speech on Thursday by Wal-Mart's Mainland spokeswoman. Cynthia Lin will speak on "The Ke'eaumoku Super Block: The Changing Face of Honolulu's Retailing," at the breakfast forum meeting for the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDUSTRIAL AND OFFICE PROPERTIES.
The meeting will run from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at The Pacific Club. Fee; guests/nonmembers welcome. Tickets available at the door. Register by tomorrow. Barbie Rosario, 845-4994.
• Peter Young, chairman of the Commission on Water Resource Management and newly appointed chairman of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, will speak on Nov. 20 on the topic "Water, Water Everywhere, But Will There Be a Drop to Drink?" at a meeting of the HAWAII SOCIETY OF CORPORATE PLANNERS. Young will discuss how increased housing development will affect water resources.
The meeting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. (registration) to 1:30 p.m. at the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki. Fee; open to the public (increased fee after Friday). Roberta Cullen, 537-2356.
• The need for an increasingly skilled workforce because of advancing technology — and what this means for Hawai'i — will be the focus of a speech Thursday at the 60th annual meeting of the HAWAII EMPLOYERS COUNCIL. The speaker will be Stacey Wagner, director of workforce initiatives at the Center for Workforce Success, the education and training arm of the Washington-based National Association of Manufacturers.
Wagner is a nationally recognized expert on training and skills-development programs and the future workplace. Her belief is that "the biggest barrier to change, growth and expansion is the lack of a trained workforce — not trade agreements, tax cuts or OSHA laws."
The luncheon meeting, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Halekulani Hotel, will also include election of the council's board of governors. Fee. Irma Hinazumi, 440-8836.
TUESDAY
• The MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF HONOLULU offers free, weekly orientation sessions to minority business owners and prospective entrepreneurs. The sessions, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays in the center's offices in Suite 2506 of the Executive Center, 1088 Bishop St., offer advice on business startups, 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 their 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 in Suite A at 1041 Nu'uanu Ave.
Attendees will have access to training videos and resource materials. Workshops and free counseling are also offered. Appointments: 522-8130.
WEDNESDAY
• University of Hawai'i President Evan Dobelle will speak on UH's role in developing a sustainable future for Hawai'i's economy — and will provide updates on the John A. Burns School of Medicine and the opening of the Asia Pacific Film School — at a dinner meeting Wednesday of the FILIPINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF HAWAII, 7 p.m., Dave and Buster's restaurant conference room, Ward Entertainment Complex. Fee; tickets at the door. Register by tomorrow: Jean Jeremiah, 521-7233.
THURSDAY
• The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii has scheduled its annual legislative review from 9 a.m to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The program, "Creating an Invigorating Business Climate," will include discussions on workers' compensation and health insurance. Ted Liu, director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, will speak on plans to market Hawai'i as a business destination. 545-4300, ext. 317.
• The first networking program reception sponsored by the International Council of Shopping Centers will be held from 3:30 p.m. (registration) to 7:30 p.m. Thursday on the fourth floor of King Kalakaua Plaza, 2080 Kalakaua Ave. The program, "Stepping Stones to Success," will feature local business executives, and the goal is to foster interaction between those new to the retail and shopping center industry and their more seasoned peers. Registration: (646) 728-3800 or www.icsc.org.
• Business tips for existing or prospective small-business owners — including steps for avoiding business scams, complaints and improper business advertising — will be among the topics at a Thursday workshop, "Business Strategies: Starting a Successful Business in Hawai'i." The workshop will be presented 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. by the Hawai'i Women's Business Center, in Suite A at 1041 Nu'uanu Ave. Representatives of the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii and ALTRES Employment Agency will answer questions. Registration: Oliv'e, 522-8136.
• ALA MOANA TOASTMASTERS holds luncheon meetings, with opportunities to improve public and impromptu speaking abilities, from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays, The Wisteria restaurant. Guests welcome. Information: 368-2757.
UPCOMING
• Beth Tom — who has been recognized for her success in propelling her chain of Pricebusters stores to success during uncertain economic times — will speak to the Nov. 18 holiday dinner buffet meeting of the Sales and Marketing Executives, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel's Grand Salon and Terrace. Dress requirements. Fee. Register by Friday. 537-1158.
• Accessing Census 2000 figures on the Census Bureau's redesigned Internet site will be the focus of a free, three-hour, hands-on workshop offered twice Nov. 18. The workshop, "CENSUS SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR PROJECTS," is designed for businesses and organizations needing census data for marketing, grant applications, federally assisted programs, affirmative action reports and other similar projects. The workshops — 8:30 a.m. (registration) to noon, and 12:30 p.m. (registration) to 4 p.m., in the Keoni Ana Building (formerly Capitol Centre), 1177 Alakea St. — will feature Census Bureau information specialist Jerry Wong, and are co-sponsored by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Registration: 586-2466.
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.
