THIS WEEK

Techs In Paradise, gathering of world leaders in advanced networking, tomorrow through Friday at East-West Center, University of Hawai'i-Manoa; among topics to be explored will be hybrid networking, eCulture, eScience, high-definition television, medical image broadcasting and a natural disaster workshop; free; public welcome. Information: www.hawaii.edu/tip2008.

FREE TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE by AARP and Aloha United Way volunteers, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday through Jan. 25 at the Princess Ruth Keelikolani Building, 830 Punchbowl St.; first come-first serve; bring photo I.D. and enter through main doors on Punchbowl St.; also at locations throughout the state Feb. 1-April 20, call 211 for the site nearest you. www.hawaii.gov/tax.

WEDNESDAY

BECOMING KAMAAINA: How Mainland Brands Establish Themselves in the Local Market, networking luncheon sponsored by International Association of Business Communicators Hawaii Chapter, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 23 at The Plaza Club; networking and registration 11-11:30 a.m., buffet lunch 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m., program 12-1 p.m.; featured speakers, Eddie Spencer, general manager of California Pizza Kitchen, and Brie Heath, communications manager of Target, scheduled to open in Hawai'i in 2009; fee: IABC members $25, nonmembers $35, student members $15. Register by Jan. 21 at 585-7931, ext. 105, or online at www.iabchawaii.com.

KAKAAKO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION general membership meeting lunchtime Jan. 23 at Dave & Busters' second-floor meeting room; fee: KIA members free, nonmembers $25, call Sherry Goya at 722-8487 by Jan. 23 to join KIA. Information: 722-8487.

THURSDAY

HAWAII VENTURE CAPITAL ASSOCIATION DEAL OF THE YEAR AWARDS LUNCHEON, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at The Plaza Club; honorees include Darren Kimura, founder of Sopogy, HR BioPetroleum, TalkStory Productions and Cardax Pharmaceuticals; fee: HVCA, Corporate Planners, Hawaii Angels, DualUse Council, Bytemarks and HSTC members, $29; nonmembers $39, studens $25; aloha attire required. Register: www.hvca.org or 262-7329 (Gail).

PARADISE TOASTMASTERS No. 7644 meeting, 4:30-5:30 p.m., second and fourth Thursdays monthly, Tripler Army Medical Center Nurse's Conference Room. 487-8703.

NUUANU TOASTMASTERS meeting, 6-7 p.m., Susannah Wesley Community Center, 1117 Ka'ili St. ; free parking; improve your public speaking skills; guests welcome. 525-8909.

The Professional Women's Network monthly luncheon meeting, Jan. 24, Ala Moana Hotel; keynote speaker Barbara Pellegrino to talk about "Treasure Mapping Your Way to Success." Fees: members $26; sponsored guests $35; nonmembers $40. Information: 533-4800; e-mail, reservations@pwnhawaii.org; online at www.pwnhawaii.org.

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF GRAPHIC ARTS lecture by Sean Adams, co-author of "Logo Design Workbook" and partner at AdamsMorioka, whose clients include ABC, Gap, Target and Adobe, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at University of Hawai'i School of Art auditorium; AIGA members $10, AIGA students members free, non-members $15, student non-members $5. RSVP: membership@aigahonolulu.org.

SATURDAY

REVERSE MORTGAGE SEMINAR, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Jan. 26 at Bank of Hawaii, Ala Moana Branch; free. Reservations: 694-8505.

UPCOMING

MAKE YOUR HOUSE A HOME FOR A LIFETIME, seminar sponsored by Graham Builders' aging in place specialist, Bonnie Osaki, 1-2:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Neal Blaisdell Center, Exhibition Hall, Hawaii Suites Meeting Rooms; how to create an aesthetic, barrier-free living environment; free.

THE STATE OF HAWAi'i'S ECONOMY, a lunch seminar sponsored by the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, noon-1:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, Manoa Grand Ballroom; $20 fee includes lunch. Register: 949-5531 or at www.honolulujapanesechamber.org

Business meetings of general interest are listed in the "Coming Events" column throughout the week. Submit notices at least two weeks in advance to: Alan Yonan, Business Section, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; fax to 525-6763; or e-mail comingevents@honoluluadvertiser.com. For e-mailed releases, include information in the body of the message, not in an attachment.