Hawaiian Islands Ministries has set the date for its 19th annual Honolulu conference, with the theme "Love One Another," March 29 to 31 at the Hawai'i Convention Center.

Some 28 speakers are confirmed for the event and more than 100 seminars will be offered. Keynote speakers include Erwin McManus, who specializes in the emergent church trend; musician Kathy Troccoli; author Dallas Willard; and Darrell Scott, the father of Columbine shooting victim Rachel Joy Scott.

Speaker David Yonggi Cho, who had planned to attend and whose visage leads the program, canceled due to health reasons.

About 1,200 students and youth group members will have an expanded program this year.

Fees: $25 to $250.

Information or to register: www.himonline.org or 988-9777.

About 4,000 people took part in the 2006 conference.

FORMER NU'UANU PASTOR ON TOUR

About 24 seminarians, pastors and lay people are coming to Hawai'i next month for a study tour put on by the Rev. Yoko Asada, pastor of Union Japanese Church of Westchester (N.Y.) and former associate pastor of Nu'uanu Congregational Church. The study tour will visit Harris United Church, Nu'uanu Congregational and Makiki Christian Church, as well as Pearl Harbor, 'Iolani Palace, Mission Houses Museum, Kawaiaha'o Church and Heritage Center and the chapel at Kamehameha Schools.

A session slated for Jan. 9 at Harris United will welcome the public.

Information: 230-7031.

'IDOL' TO SING GOSPEL CLASSICS

Ruben Studdard is coming to Hawai'i for an appearance New Year's Eve.

The teddy bear-ish "American Idol" who beat out Clay Aiken for the title, if not the record number of music sales, will be appearing in a free concert, "Gospel Goes Classic," being put on by Word of Life, according to church publications. Members of the Honolulu Symphony also are expected to play.

Church spokeswoman Jonell Cockett confirmed the appearance.

"Yes, he will be here," she wrote in an e-mail. "Not sure how many songs he will sing because there will be other guests involved."

Information: www.wordoflifehawaii.com.

SHRINE HOLDING HATSUMODE '07

The Hawai'i Kotohira Jinsha-Dazaifu Tenmangu, the Shinto shrine at 1239 Olomea St., welcomes new year's from midnight to 5 p.m. with Hatsumode 2007.

There will be a shishimai lion dance and complimentary bowls of ozoni mochi soup.

Street parking is available, or catch the free shuttle from Damien School beginning at midnight through 3 p.m.

Information: Irene Takizawa, 841-4755, or www.e-shrine.org.