Coming Events

Advertiser Staff

BEST BETS

• Sustainable economic diversification will be the focus of a speech Thursday by local entrepreneur Virendra Nath. Nath is president and founder of HDEP International, among Hawai'i's 50 fastest-growing companies for two years, and was named Ernst & Young's 1997 Entrepreneur of the Year. He will speak to the luncheon meeting of the Hawaii Venture Capital Association, 11:30 a.m. (registration) at The Plaza Club, Pioneer Plaza. Fee; nonmembers and students welcome. Reservations: Gail, 262-7329.

• TIPS ON SURVIVING A TSUNAMI will be part of two workshops on March 29 designed for representatives of the visitor industry. A tsunami could arrive here with only a few minutes' warning, posing a danger for thousands in Waikiki, organizers note. Among participants in the workshops will be representatives of the state and O'ahu civil defense agencies and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and speakers from the University of Hawai'i. The workshop is offered in two sessions — 10 a.m. to noon, and 2 to 4 p.m. — in the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, Pikake Room. Reservations by tomorrow: Ray Lovell, 733-4300, ext. 524.

TOMORROW

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

• John Edward Anderson, president of Topa Equities Ltd. will speak at a University of Hawai'i College of Business discussion. The discussion is part of the lecture series Kipapa I Ke Ala (Paving the Way), intended to share the best in the international world of business with the university community. Anderson speaks on "An Entrepreneurs' View of Building and Creating a Successful Company" in a free lecture scheduled from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the downtown Topa Financial Center (formerly Amfac Building) Topa Plaza. Limited seating; reservations: 956-5083.

WEDNESDAY

• "The Truth About Outdoor Lighting," a live, interactive "Webcast," will be presented by the Illuminating Engineering Society of Hawaii from 6:45 a.m. (registration) to 8:30 a.m., American Savings Bank Building, Hawaiian Electric Industries training room, eighth floor. Among topics to be addressed will be lighting secrets for attracting shoppers and diners; lighting to make neighborhoods secure, and ideal lighting to use for motorists. Fee; nonmembers welcome. Reservations: Darin Yokoyama, 839-2242, ext. 26.

THURSDAY

• PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S NETWORK, luncheon meeting, 11:30 a.m. (registration) to 1:30 p.m., Hale Koa Hotel, Fort DeRussy. Speaker: Nicki Keohohou, author, business coach, entrepreneur, business executive, and cofounder and chief executive officer of Direct Selling Women's Alliance. She will speak on "Sustaining Success — Winning Strategies for the Successful Businesswoman." Fee; guests welcome. Reservations: 533-4880.

• 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. Information: Tracy Nakashima, 525-6028.

SATURDAY

• A free seminar on long-term care, hosted by State Farm Insurance, will be held at 9 a.m. at the State Farm Mililani Service Center, 400 Kahelu Ave. Reservations: 627-0597.

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.