Gov. Linda Lingle will deliver the keynote address during an economic conference that also will look at growth and the state's economic prospects.

"Housing, Development and Hawaii's Economic Outlook" is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. on April 25 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village South Pacific Ballroom. The conference comes at a time when many are wondering about the direction of the state's economy given talk of a recession on the Mainland and the failures of Aloha and ATA airlines.

Pearl Imada Iboshi, the state's chief economist will make opening remarks and be followed by a panel discussion on alternate visions for growth in the state. Another panel will delve into experiences from the field in development.

The afternoon will feature a discussion of the state's economic outlook featuring Byron Gagnes, director of the Hawaii Economy Project for the University of Hawai'i Economic Research Organization, who will speak on global developments and the local economy. Paul Brewbaker, Bank of Hawaii chief economist, will give an address titled "Asian Financial Crisis: Americal Style." Iboshi will detail an economic forecast for the state.

The conference is being presented by the Bank of Hawaii, state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and the University of Hawai'i Economic Research Organization.

For more information visit www.boh.com/econ.