Coming Events

Advertiser Staff

BEST BETS

• "STRAIGHT SCOOPS ON GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING," a discussion of how local business owners can secure lucrative government contracts, will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 11, sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Hawai'i Women's Business Center. The event will be at the Small Business Resource Center, 1041 Nu'uanu Ave. Fee discounted if registered by today: Oliv'e, 522-8136.

• The Small Business Administration will also sponsor the Third Annual Export Workshop on Wednesday. The workshop is designed to help prospective and current business owners discover market opportunities and expand business beyond Hawai'i.

The workshop, also offering information on financing, trade shows, and establishing a presence in the Foreign Trade Zone, will feature experts from Central Pacific Bank and such government agencies as the U.S.

Department of Commerce and state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. The discussion, "Export, the New Hawai'i Marketplace," is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Foreign Trade Zone No. 9, at Pier 2. Fee. Anne, 522-8131.

TOMORROW

• An eight-part cable television series, "TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR MONEY2," sponsored by the University of Hawai'i's Cooperative Extension Service, will be broadcast 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, tomorrow through March 23, on O'ahu (Oceanic, Channel 55; and Craig, Channel 21); the Big Island (Na Leo, Channel 55); and Kaua'i (Ho'ike, Channel 55). Viewer's Guide available for $10. 956-7138.

• A MICRO ENTERPRISE TRAINING CLASS for prospective business owners — 9 a.m. to noon tomorrow through Thursday or Feb. 24 to 26; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Feb. 21 — will be offered by the Honolulu Community Action Program. Topics include: business startups in Hawai'i, business loans, taxes and marketing. Free to people with low income. For information and location: Erma or Robert, 521-4531.

• The MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF HONOLULU offers 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 at 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 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 clients of the center who have attended a center orientation, which is offered 9 a.m. every Tuesday and 2 p.m. every Thursday at 1041 Nu'uanu Ave., Suite A. Attendees have access to training videos and resource materials. Workshops and free counseling offered. Appointments: 522-8130.

THURSDAY

• AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION, Punahele Chapter, dinner meeting, 5:30 Thursday, The Wisteria restaurant. Fee. Tina Kaneshiro, 668-2502.

• ALA MOANA TOASTMASTERS no-host luncheon meetings, with opportunities to improve public- and impromptu-speaking abilities, noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays, The Wisteria restaurant. Guests welcome. 226-7686.

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

UPCOMING

• "HEART TO HEART: PARTNERS IN LIFE AND BUSINESS," a discussion with business owners who have found a way to "marry" working with their spouse and running a successful business, will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 9 at The Plaza Club, Pioneer Plaza. The event, one of the quarterly Business Roundtable discussions sponsored by the Hawai'i Women's Business Center, will feature the owner-couples from Cinnamon Girl, LavaNet, Hawaii Nautical and The Cole Academy. Fee; discount if registered by today. Registration: Oliv'e, 522-8136.

• "REDUCING INJURY COSTS IN YOUR WORKPLACE," a one-day conference on ways to reduce injury costs in the workplace — and thereby minimize workers' compensation claims — will be offered on three dates by the Hawai'i Small Business Development Center Network. Co-sponsors of the conference are the American Society of Safety Engineers and the American Industrial Hygiene Association. It is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Feb. 26 at The Queen's Medical Center, Conference Center (former Mabel Smyth Building) auditorium, or March 3 at Pearl Country Club. Fee. Registration: 522-8131, Ext. 221.

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.